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vegasmind2020
housing
Is West Covina still affordable?
Longtime lurker here, The suburbs are where most families end up.
46 upvotes
27 Replies
Serenity Brooks
interesting, hadn't considered that
36 upvotes
Peyton King
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it exceeded my expectations.
35 upvotes
Harper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Bella C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Landon Lewis
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Wesley Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Cooper Jimenez
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Michael Reed
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Hazel Flores
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Asher Mendoza
preach
29 upvotes
Kennedy D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Lydia R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Reagan Howard
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
21 upvotes
Aurora G.
I work in marketing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Chloe Mendoza
yep
17 upvotes
mountain_kaylee69
seconding this
17 upvotes
Leah M.
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Axel Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Parker W.
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Hailey W.
I work in hospitality here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Isabelle B.
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Gabriella Collins
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The school system is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
William Lopez
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
4 upvotes
Luna Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Patrick R.
accurate
1 upvotes
Elena
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Evan C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
0 upvotes