Is Rancho Santa Margarita getting better or worse?
Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 47,257 people. The median home value here is around $907,900, which is pretty steep. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
18 upvotes
17 Replies
Madelyn D.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Samuel P.
this is the way
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Y.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Madeline
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
29 upvotes
Emma Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Luke
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Kennedy Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is excellent in most areas.
24 upvotes
Silas B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Isaiah B.
This.
12 upvotes
Carolyn B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Cedar Grove 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Lucas R.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Emma
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering 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 hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
10 upvotes
Hailey Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
jacob_local
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Kai L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
All Countries
