First post here. I'm a teacher here and Household incomes average around $81,151 in Palmdale. Homes are going for about $435,300 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Eliana H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
39 upvotes
Madeline Turner
This.
36 upvotes
William Murphy
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
34 upvotes
Hunter S.
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
lol so true
24 upvotes
Aaron Bailey
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are challenging. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Grayson M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
16 upvotes
Emmett Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Westside 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Isla
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Zoe Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
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