We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Tustin sits at 175.5 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
27 upvotes
30 Replies
Jonathan Miller
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Natalie Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Ethan S.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Italian places. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Madeline R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Victoria Gray
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Nathan B.
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Kayden Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Miami about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Andrew Flores
same here
34 upvotes
Arianna Robinson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Jayden Reed
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great craft beer places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
34 upvotes
Joseph
100%
34 upvotes
Grayson M.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Chloe R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
indykid2024
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Lillian Hughes
this is the way
29 upvotes
Luna Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
26 upvotes
John S.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Jaxon Martinez
following this thread
25 upvotes
Waylon Nelson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Olivia Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Portland it's average.
20 upvotes
Michael G.
+1
19 upvotes
Violet Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Alexa Rogers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
11 upvotes
Jayden Lee
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
vegasvibes2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 40, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
8 upvotes
vegasvibes2021
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Paisley Hill
great question, following
6 upvotes
Mia
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Grace Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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