Remote worker thinking about Rancho Santa Margarita
Hey everyone, Median household income is $146,827, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 47,257, Rancho Santa Margarita is a smaller city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Has anyone dealt with this?
23 upvotes
16 Replies
Bennett Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 51, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
38 upvotes
Zoey J.
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
stlmind2021
same here
35 upvotes
Joseph W.
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Mia Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Jordan Lopez
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Aurora Rogers
seconding this
22 upvotes
Ezra Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Amelia S.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Oak Park area are underrated. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
sf_nathan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
David Martin
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Evan Torres
Moved here last year, no regrets.
6 upvotes
Camila Long
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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