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Elijah Ruiz living

Living in Rancho San Diego -the reality

Not sure if this has been asked before, but Rent is about $2,431/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 22,264 people. Poverty rate is 6.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Rancho San Diego sits at 318.0 per 100K. The median home value here is around $854,200, which is pretty steep. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.

Pros:
- Friendly people
- Low crime in most areas
- Low taxes
- Walkable downtown

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Sprawl everywhere
- Boring for young people
- Limited cultural events
It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes

7 Replies

Brooks Castillo
I work in government here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Colton Murphy
this is the way
36 upvotes
Sofia
+1
32 upvotes
Vivian M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Oak Park for 6 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing is strong here. government 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Oak Park 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Axel D.
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Joseph Ross
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Silas Nelson
bump
12 upvotes
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