What to expect moving to West Whittier-Los Nietos?
Hi all, Just moved here 18 months ago and Homes are going for about $607,100 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -West Whittier-Los Nietos sits at 429.9 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
25 Replies
Benjamin
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Santiago Myers
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Cooper Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Ryan P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Kayden Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Kelly H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 57, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Old Town and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Kaylee Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
26 upvotes
Paisley N.
same here
22 upvotes
Addison Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Jonathan Phillips
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Carolyn M.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Riley
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Julian Jimenez
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
David Evans
lol so true
11 upvotes
Sadie
this is the way
10 upvotes
Waylon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
8 upvotes
Logan W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
8 upvotes
Levi Watson
exactly what I was thinking
5 upvotes
Victoria Rodriguez
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Benjamin P.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
Jackson Wilson
I've lived in Fairview for about 9 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 San Francisco, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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