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Robert Stewart
housing
Is it worth buying in Santa Ana?
Hi all, Homes are going for about $657,800 on average. Am I wrong here? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
52 upvotes
20 Replies
oaklanddude2021
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Naomi C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Claire Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Eliana L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Genesis
I'm a sales manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Henry Reed
Moved here from Dallas about 6 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Hailey Jackson
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Gabriella Edwards
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's better than expected.
27 upvotes
real_isaac91
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Jameson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
25 upvotes
Ethan Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
18 upvotes
Ethan F.
bump
17 upvotes
Santiago Mitchell
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The walkability is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Abigail L.
wish I knew this sooner
14 upvotes
Evan Cook
literally same
9 upvotes
Mia Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
mountain_liam77
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
3 upvotes
Jack W.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
3 upvotes
Judith L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Jace Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes