Longtime lurker here, Household incomes average around $79,508 in Palm Desert. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? Thanks! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
0 upvotes
19 Replies
Ezekiel Hernandez
bump
39 upvotes
Roman B.
preach
38 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Leo R.
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Nancy M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Sophie S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Emma G.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Springfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Landon L.
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
16 upvotes
tampa_stella
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Hailey Morgan
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Riverside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Julia Evans
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Jose K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Miles Moore
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Everly G.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Carson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is excellent in most areas.
7 upvotes
Andrea M.
big facts right here
4 upvotes
Luke C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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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