Random thought, It's a a smaller city city with about 85,925 people. With a population of 85,925, Whittier is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $92,374 in Whittier. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
26 Replies
Austin Foster
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
40 upvotes
Owen Edwards
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Quinn
I've lived in The Heights for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Emily Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Jayden Smith
I'm a teacher and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Serenity H.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Eliana Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains 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 solid. 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 high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Jackson R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. 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 a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Emmett L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Mia Rodriguez
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Nolan Ramos
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Anna W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to LA it's improving.
20 upvotes
Evelyn Cox
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Aiden Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 2 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Evan
This.
14 upvotes
Quinn Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
14 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
Moved here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Sebastian Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Cora
Bought a house here in 2021 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
11 upvotes
Samuel R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Mia Cook
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Westside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Roman Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Ralph F.
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Everly Stewart
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
raised_nolan58
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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