All Countries
Quinn Williams
best-worst
Best kept secrets of Temescal Valley, CA
The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Does this match your experience? Cheers.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
sd_christian
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2024 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
33 upvotes
Mateo Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Julia H.
I work in marketing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
facts
28 upvotes
Landon Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable 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 Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable 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 Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
22 upvotes
Kai A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Joan N.
100%
17 upvotes
Delilah Price
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Easton Wood
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
12 upvotes
Matthew Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. decent 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. decent 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
2 upvotes
Wesley Jimenez
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Aiden W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Gianna
been saying this for years
0 upvotes