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Olivia C. jobs

Job market in Santa Ana for tech?

Hey folks, Poverty rate is 8.8%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $88,354, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 312K people. You can expect to pay around $1,975 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. What do you all think? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes

7 Replies

Mateo Ruiz
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Daniel F.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
32 upvotes
cincydude2025
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
sunny_miles79
glad someone said it
17 upvotes
Arianna
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
10 upvotes
aaron_fan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Carol S.
interesting, hadn't considered that
3 upvotes
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