Hey everyone, I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $1,413/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 7.0%, which is concerning. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks in advance! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Adam Young
seconding this
37 upvotes
Julian Edwards
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
coastal_piper98
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Logan Garcia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Sophia Scott
lol so true
23 upvotes
Wesley Roberts
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Zoey Gomez
Saving this thread
22 upvotes
Isla J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 46, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
21 upvotes
Genesis M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
13 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
same here
9 upvotes
Wyatt Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
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