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Noah Phillips best-worst

Most overrated things about San Clemente

OK so I'm single, late 20s, and Median household income is $134,735, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 63,510, San Clemente is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,510 people. Poverty rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $1,220,500, which is pretty steep. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.

Pros:
- Close to nature
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
- Walkable downtown

Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Sprawl everywhere
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Poor road conditions
The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
29 upvotes

5 Replies

Aiden Sanders
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Alexa T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Helen G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Kai P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
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