Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 27-year-old nurse and With a population of 143K, Torrance is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 143K people. The median home value here is around $1,036,600, which is pretty steep. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
31 upvotes
14 Replies
sdkid2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
36 upvotes
Riley Lee
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Chloe Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Aubrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Reagan Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
21 upvotes
Jacob Ramirez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Sebastian Harris
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Waylon Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
15 upvotes
Thomas Long
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
real_ruby35
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
8 upvotes
Sofia Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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