Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $117,703 in Simi Valley. Crime rate is something to consider — Simi Valley sits at 115.9 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development.
16 upvotes
14 Replies
Waylon Williams
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
34 upvotes
Olivia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Andrew
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Violet Diaz
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Roman Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Julia Clark
bump
17 upvotes
Angel Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 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:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are excellent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Jaxon G.
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
13 upvotes
Miles Thomas
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Adam Morgan
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
Savannah Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
9 upvotes
Caleb C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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