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Laura R. moving

Relocating to Twentynine Palms, CA -pros and cons?

Hey everyone, You can expect to pay around $1,271 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
16 upvotes

27 Replies

Robert B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Leo R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Houston it's pretty good.
39 upvotes
Joan S.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Nathan Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.

People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Valentina Lee
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Leonardo
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Leo Morris
Moved here from New York about 10 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild 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 challenging.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Jack Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Olivia Ramos
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is better than expected

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Delilah Stewart
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
eva_heart
accurate
22 upvotes
Zoe Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are hit or miss. 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Paisley
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Wesley Green
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Joseph Martinez
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Olivia Garcia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is underrated in most areas.
17 upvotes
Aria Carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Denver it's pretty good.
16 upvotes
Jaxon Lopez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Evelyn S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
14 upvotes
Jaxon A.
100%
10 upvotes
Landon Alvarez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Adam Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Diego it's underrated.
7 upvotes
John B.
I'm a chef and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is average and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Hunter M.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
5 upvotes
fresnolocal2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
4 upvotes
happy_violet50
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options

Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
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