Worst things about Palm Springs nobody talks about
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $1,597 for rent here. Homes are going for about $234,500 on average. The median home value here is around $234,500, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Friendly people
- Lots of new development
- Strong sense of community
Cons:
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
Is this normal for Palm Springs? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes
15 Replies
Kayden
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
urban_reagan7
I work in government here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Camila
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Ezekiel Wood
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Emily G.
I'm a teacher and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Jordan D.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great seafood places. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
Jameson Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Autumn Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jeremiah Carter
I work in real estate here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is excellent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Clara
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Ezra M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's pretty good.
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Stella Long
This.
8 upvotes
Ruby Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
4 upvotes
Stella D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.