Longtime lurker here, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Household incomes average around $117,840 in Temecula. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $2,297 for rent here. Rent is about $2,297/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited nightlife
- Homelessness issues downtown
Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
17 upvotes
20 Replies
Avery R.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
40 upvotes
urban_samuel76
seconding this
39 upvotes
sunny_chloe11
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 44, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
39 upvotes
Jace Foster
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
facts
36 upvotes
Serenity Reed
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Arianna Robinson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Savannah M.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Valentina Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Elena Garcia
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Abigail H.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are tough. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Roman Ortiz
this is the way
18 upvotes
Autumn Bennett
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in The Heights area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Violet Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Chloe
spot on
11 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Elizabeth Stewart
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Elena H.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
7 upvotes
Kayden K.
accurate
3 upvotes
Carson S.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.