Anyone else feel this way? Crime rate is something to consider -Temecula sits at 142.3 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Any help is appreciated.
37 upvotes
21 Replies
Nolan Long
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Autumn Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
29 upvotes
Kinsley Thomas
seconding this
29 upvotes
Allison Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Maverick Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Caleb Jones
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Natalie N.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Phoenix it's average.
22 upvotes
austinrider2024
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Luna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Adam Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Eric P.
I'm a contractor and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Claire Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Ann R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Aaron G.
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Logan Foster
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Raymond M.
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Joseph Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Isaiah Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
7 upvotes
Santiago King
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Camila G.
honestly same experience here
1 upvotes
Kinsley
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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