Raising a family in Rancho Santa Margarita -thoughts?
Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and With a population of 47,257, Rancho Santa Margarita is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks in advance!
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Nevaeh Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Brenda C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
sd_hailey
wish I knew this sooner
29 upvotes
Kai Wood
bump
28 upvotes
Addison B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Hunter W.
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Serenity
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
18 upvotes
Kaylee R.
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
Brielle Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
13 upvotes
Kelly W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Arianna Y.
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
jose_mind
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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