First post here. Just moved here 9 months ago and Median household income is $82,686, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 14.0%, which is around average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
29 upvotes
4 Replies
Amelia Gomez
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Colton Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Ryan Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
22 upvotes
Robert Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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