You can expect to pay around $1,939 for rent here. With a population of 25,459, West Whittier-Los Nietos is a smaller city. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
24 upvotes
7 Replies
Austin Foster
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Harper R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Waylon Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
22 upvotes
Ruby Martin
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
lake_bennett5
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Naomi Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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