We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $608,500, which is pretty steep. With a population of 91,836, South Gate is a smaller city. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. Any help is appreciated. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
23 upvotes
13 Replies
Jack Lopez
hmm interesting perspective
34 upvotes
Reagan D.
I've lived in Riverside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Owen
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Arianna P.
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Weston
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to San Francisco it's underrated.
30 upvotes
Nevaeh
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
philly_emilia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Rylee
Bought a house here in 2019 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
John
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
serenity_lover
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Jacob C.
spot on
13 upvotes
chill_colton4
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
12 upvotes
Jayden Lee
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
