The good and bad of living in University CDP (Orange County)
Hey folks, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $275,300, which seems about average. Median household income is $59,322, which feels about average for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
27 upvotes
10 Replies
Eli Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Benjamin Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Santiago Rodriguez
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
phoenixlocal2022
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Declan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Denver about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Wayne H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
axel_papa
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss 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 hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
coastal_connor75
preach
14 upvotes
tucsonlife2020
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. it's been a really good experience overall.
13 upvotes
Lucas C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (East) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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