Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $1,728 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Rosemead sits at 321.2 per 100K. Household incomes average around $72,248 in Rosemead. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. Appreciate any input. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
2 upvotes
4 Replies
Aaron Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
39 upvotes
Harper Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Jose Peterson
I'm a chef and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Eva Wilson
Moved here from Chicago about 14 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to safety but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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