Tustin in the winter -how bad?

Arianna Anderson Aug 22, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a nurse, 45, moved here 1 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.

32 upvotes