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Christine R. living

Anyone else love living in Rancho Mission Viejo?

The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes

14 Replies

Avery
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
urban_john46
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Bella L.
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Levi Jones
seconding this
31 upvotes
true_harper78
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
31 upvotes
Ezekiel Rivera
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
henry_heart
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
28 upvotes
Maya Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Violet N.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
18 upvotes
Thomas Baker
Moved here from Boston about 3 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to nightlife but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Aiden Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Greenfield for 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Greenfield schools are surprisingly good. 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 public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Terry J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Aria W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
7 upvotes
Mark R.
seconding this
5 upvotes
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