Hello, The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $621,400, which is pretty steep. Household incomes average around $86,956 in Pico Rivera. You can expect to pay around $1,775 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
18 upvotes
7 Replies
Waylon
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The housing market is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Isabella W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are solid. 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Michael Phillips
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
24 upvotes
Leah Scott
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
cincyguy2025
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
18 upvotes
Valentina Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Evan Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.