So, We're a young couple and Median household income is $72,248, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $729,600 on average. Rent is about $1,728/month for a decent place. With a population of 50,340, Rosemead is a smaller city. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
27 upvotes
16 Replies
Emmett Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 44, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
portland_nolan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Piper
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Julia D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Skylar Sanchez
thanks for sharing
34 upvotes
Samuel Miller
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Autumn Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Gabriella Diaz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Weston Ramos
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Wesley H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
minneapolis_isaac
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
Joshua Robinson
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
18 upvotes
Brooklyn
Moved here from Chicago about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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