Pros and cons of Rancho Palos Verdes after 4 years
Not sure if this has been asked before, but With a population of 41,259, Rancho Palos Verdes is a smaller city.
24 upvotes
21 Replies
Peyton Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Ethan H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
local_grace35
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Daniel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Liam Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
32 upvotes
Kinsley Green
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
grayson_lover
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Ruby H.
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 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Riverside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
29 upvotes
Andrea C.
spot on
24 upvotes
Chloe Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Hazel King
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Joseph Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 31, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
17 upvotes
Theodore P.
yep
15 upvotes
Aubrey Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Thomas Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Zoey S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Hudson Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Sophie Castillo
Moved here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Mason
yep
4 upvotes
Ariana Young
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
David Brooks
I've lived in Highland for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
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