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Emilia living

Is Walnut Creek a good place to live?

Longtime lurker here, It's a a smaller city city with about 69,790 people. Homes are going for about $1,031,100 on average. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $135,665 in Walnut Creek. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Lots of new development
- Walkable downtown

Cons:
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- Not enough green space
Anyone in a similar situation? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
14 upvotes

3 Replies

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

Background: I'm a electrician, 27, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
37 upvotes
tampa_audrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
37 upvotes
Rylee Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
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