Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and With a population of 126K, Simi Valley is a mid-size city. Median household income is $117,703, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Is this normal for Simi Valley? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
48 upvotes
19 Replies
Isaac C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Luca Alvarez
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Sophia C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
Ruby Williams
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
local_jonathan36
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
31 upvotes
Joshua Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
26 upvotes
Jacob Clark
I'm a teacher and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Benjamin Watson
Moved here from Boston about 10 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Adeline C.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Aubrey Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 43, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
23 upvotes
Isla Turner
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
mesanative2022
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Addison D.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
17 upvotes
Axel Garcia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jack
bump
5 upvotes
Alexander B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Allison Brown
bump
5 upvotes
Adeline White
bump
5 upvotes
Lillian Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - 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. North schools are decent. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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