Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 19,413, South El Monte is a small town. Median household income is $67,153, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. Crime rate is something to consider -South El Monte sits at 489.2 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thanks! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Miles Bennett
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 Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 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:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers 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 challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Naomi King
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
35 upvotes
Lillian White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. 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 challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Teresa P.
Moved here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Cameron Green
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Cora
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Ellie P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
finance 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
22 upvotes
Jordan
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Levi Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Jace R.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Brielle Davis
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Amelia
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Jace Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
All Countries
