Been meaning to ask this. Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Palm Desert sits at 252.9 per 100K. Rent is about $1,717/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 51,551 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
2 Replies
Julian Mendoza
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
25 upvotes
Miles Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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