Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $342,500 on average. The unemployment rate is 6.6%, which is concerning. Crime rate is something to consider — Victorville sits at 802.7 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
41 upvotes
21 Replies
Willow Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
Walter G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Eliana M.
lol so true
33 upvotes
Jack Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Jonathan L.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
Leah Green
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Nora R.
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Daniel Ruiz
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Julian Green
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Lillian M.
100%
28 upvotes
Natalie P.
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Asher Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
24 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
following this thread
22 upvotes
Adrian P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 41, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
13 upvotes
Alexa Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Jameson Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
9 upvotes
Jack Garcia
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
raleigh_abigail
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
5 upvotes
Evelyn P.
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes
Isaiah C.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Eugene N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 42, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
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