Considering San Buenaventura (Ventura) vs Los Angeles -help me decide
Longtime lurker here, The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. Thanks for reading.
27 upvotes
12 Replies
Michael F.
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Ian S.
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Jack
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
28 upvotes
Samuel Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Piper Sanders
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Phoenix it's hit or miss.
19 upvotes
dallas_lucy
accurate
18 upvotes
Jayden
this is the way
17 upvotes
Madelyn Richardson
+1
14 upvotes
Adam Diaz
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Andrew Brooks
couldn't agree more
10 upvotes
Kathleen L.
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 job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking 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 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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