There's a nice ocean breeze that blows much of the year to remind you you’re on some pretty valuable California real estate. We also like The Packing District where over 50 artisans offer Bubble tea, grilled cheese, hot pot, cocktails, and crepes at this two-story culinary Mecca. Bonus: On any given day, the Packing District is a musical smorgasbord with rockabilly, folk, soul, jazz, and western swing bands.

Housing and the cost of living are not cheap (40% higher than the national average) and there are still some not-so-safe neighborhoods but most agree you just need to be smart about where and when you move through the city (just like every big city).



The Ocean Breeze

LookyLOO Review of Anaheim

Anaheim is a tale of two cities when it comes to lifestyle. On the one hand, you have Disneyland. If you want to make the park the centerpiece of your social and “cultural” life then you’re all set. 

On the other hand, you have downtown Anaheim which while not “major” relative to neighboring cities like Los Angeles or Pasadena, does have a commercial district called [**Center Street Promenade**](https://www.visitanaheim.org/listing/center-street/1850/), which has plenty of shops, restaurants, a big farmers market, and several museums. The [**Colonial District**](https://www.anaheimcolony.com/) is the other big draw downtown. This area includes; the [**Mother Colony House**](https://hiddenhistoryoc.weebly.com/the-mother-colony-house.html) which is a beautiful older museum, [**Pearson Park**](https://www.anaheim.net/1432/Pearson-Park-Amphitheatre) which houses an outdoor theater for performances, and the Packing House gourmet food hall. 

To see what's happening in Anaheim check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.anaheim.net/calendar.aspx). 

Lifestyle 

It should probably go without saying but lots and lots of people who live in Anaheim work at Disneyland and in the tourism economy. Since Anaheim also has two major sports teams, the Ducks and the Angels, you can work in the service/entertainment and tourism industry and not work at Disney. The Anaheim Canyon business park is one of the largest industrial districts in California so if you’re working in Anaheim in a professional capacity, particularly tech, there’s a good chance you’re commuting here. As with most California cities, the commute is a constant consideration for your in work-life balance. Pick the wrong job or neighborhood and your commute can be a living hell. Pick right or WFH and everything comes up roses. 

Worklife

[**Anaheim Union High School District**](auhsd.us) is the high school district for Anaheim. It receives a [**"B+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/anaheim-union-high-school-district-ca/) including an "A" for College Prep. 

AUHSD admittance policy is based on residential addresses within district boundaries. Open enrollment and inter-district transfers may be available, subject to space availability, deadlines, and approval from both the resident and receiving districts. 

The highest-performing schools in the district include:

-[**Oxford Academy**](oxford.auhsd.us) is the #4 highest-rated public school in the county. It receives an [**"A+" grade on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/oxford-academy-cypress-ca/) with the highest ratings for Academics, Teachers, and College Prep. It admits students in grades 7-12. 

-[C**ypress High School**](cypress.auhsd.us) is the 2nd highest-rated school in the district, receiving an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/cypress-high-school-cypress-ca/). It receives high grades for College Prep, Academics, and Diversity. 

-[**John F. Kennedy High School**](kennedy.auhsd.us) is the 3rd ranked high school in the district, also receiving an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/john-f-kennedy-high-school-la-palma-ca/). JFK receives high grades for Academics, Diversity, and College Prep.  



Schools

If you want to escape the madness of a big city, but still have lots to do, Anaheim is a good choice for your short-list. Naturally, there’s lots of family fun to be had (theme parks, children’s museums and parks) but there’s also grown-up fun. Check out the Anaheim GardenWalk which offers loads of restaurants, entertainment, shopping, Center Street Promenade for artisan goods, and the Old Towne Historic District for antique shopping. 

Break Free

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Roxerz**
Living in Anaheim
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I'm from DMV, sister is in NOVA and I moved to Anaheim. Perfect location, near everything, crumby city though. A lot of petty crime, homelessness, etc. We like living here because we can do everything outside of this city but our neighbor had his truck stolen in our gated neighborhood, our mailboxes are burglarized on a daily basis, and people steal Amazon packages here and there. Helicopters used to fly over my neighborhood every 2-3 days but not so much anymore and across the street was a naked guy who barricaded himself in his bathroom and died when SWAT was deployed. I pay $2k rent/mo for 1 bdrm apt for all this lol.

Tysons/Fairfax is like Costa Mesa/Irvine. Anaheim is like the PG County of Maryland.

For more reviews of what living in Anaheim is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/anaheim/reviews)

Reviews of Anaheim from Locals

**The Good, The Bad and The Ugly**

Orange County to the south and Los Angeles County to the North, Anaheim is considered part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and is home to The Ducks, The Angels and of course, that mouse. 

Somewhere in the mid to late 90’s the city revitalized its downtown and it has exploded in recent years. House of Blues, hundreds of bars and some pretty good restaurants. It is also replete with breweries and loft style apartments. The Train station ARTIC takes you to cool places like Downtown Los Angeles. Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are nearby but high-paying jobs usually require those same commutes. Once you settle though, good schools are easy to find as well as nearby universities.

**The Best Thing About Anaheim?** 

There's a nice ocean breeze to remind you you’re on some pretty valuable California real estate.  In The Packing District. Over 50 artisans offering Bubble tea, grilled cheese, hot pot, cocktails and crepes await at this two-story culinary Mecca. Bonus: On any given day, the Packing District is a musical smorgasbord with rockabilly, folk, soul, jazz and western swing bands.

**The Worst Thing About Anaheim?** 

Housing and cost of living is not cheap (40% higher than the national average) and there are still some pretty violent neighborhoods with gang affiliations that go back several generations (white supremecist skinhead groups.).

**How You Living?** 

Anaheim Hills is the extremely affluent area (like professional athlete affluent.) There are very nice neighborhoods to live in, if you can afford them. Thankfully, many of the housing tracts and subdivisions do not feature the cookiecutter-style houses that exist in other cities. The Colony District has many homes that reflect a simpler gentler time and an area where it’s considered safe to walk to school, work and to the shops. Southwest Anaheim is the home of Disneyland and it is also considered a walkable suburb and has some good schools. Northwest Anaheim is also a suburb considered by those with families and offers lower costs.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?

If you want to migrate out of a bigger city, Anaheim is a good place to have it both ways. Naturally, there’s lots of family fun to be had (theme parks, children’s museums and parks) but there’s also grown up fun to be had including The Anaheim GardenWalk which offers loads of restaurants and entertainment in addition to shopping and Center Street Promenade where you can find artisan goods and the Old Towne Orange Historic District where you can shop antique stores. Plus, you can outlet shop at Outlets of Orange and end the day with a massage or at the IMAX theatre.



The Colony Historic District includes the Packing House District, a hot spot for young professionals to live and socialize. Plenty of breweries, restaurants, parks and shopping all within walking distance make it an easy choice if you’re just moving to Anaheim and want to live where you go out. The District also has plenty converted and new buildings with nice (albeit pricey) lofts/condos/apts for younger population as well as retirees looking to live in an active neighborhood. 
- Colony Historic District
- Platinum Triangle


Young Professionals / Retirees

Colony Historic District

Platinum Triangle is a really interesting newer area of Anaheim. Designed to be a mix of new businesses and new housing, it has high-rise loft and cool townhouse living options. An emerging entrepreneurial center, it's an interesting option for singles and couples who want a more upscale and growth-oriented neighborhood than the Historic District. 

In addition to the versatile housing you also get an active commercial district with excellent restaurants/bars and cafes so you can walk to go out at night without needing to go downtown or into LA when you aren't up for it. 



DINKs/SINKs

Platinum Triangle

Anaheim doesn’t have a singular LGBTQ+ neighborhood but the entire city is considered LGBTQ+ friendly. People are mostly spread across the entire city with Anaheim Hills popular for those looking for a more luxurious lifestyle and The Colony Historic District for those who want a lovely home but prefer a walkable social scene via the local Packing District marketplace. The Packing District is a revitalized commercial and social district with tons of bars/restaurants/cafes so locals can live and play in the same neighborhood.

The Colony also has the lovely Pearson's Park, a scenic open green space with trails, a lagoon and even an outdoor amphitheater for year round performances. 



LGBTQ+

The Colony Historic District

Anaheim Hills is a master-planned community that serves the wealthy of Anaheim. Filled with gated streets and surrounded by lush greenery, parks for kiddos and outdoor adventurers,  beautiful views of the mountains, and the best public schools in the city. This is the spot for living large in the city. Northwest is another good option for families with plenty of greenery and parks for play. One of the great things about Northwest is that while it has the homes and blocks of a suburban neighborhood in the city, it also has a bounty of restaurants and shopping to make the living easier and a bit more energized than really moving out to the suburbs. 
- Anaheim Hills
- Northwest Anaheim


Families

Anaheim Hills

Anaheim

**Roxerz**
Living in Anaheim
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I'm from DMV, sister is in NOVA and I moved to Anaheim. Perfect location, near everything, crumby city though. A lot of petty crime, homelessness, etc. We like living here because we can do everything outside of this city but our neighbor had his truck stolen in our gated neighborhood, our mailboxes are burglarized on a daily basis, and people steal Amazon packages here and there. Helicopters used to fly over my neighborhood every 2-3 days but not so much anymore and across the street was a naked guy who barricaded himself in his bathroom and died when SWAT was deployed. I pay $2k rent/mo for 1 bdrm apt for all this lol.

Tysons/Fairfax is like Costa Mesa/Irvine. Anaheim is like the PG County of Maryland.

**New023**
Living in Anaheim
6 mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Honestly, I feel like Anaheim is undervalued. We have great access to most of Greater Los Angeles. We can easily drive to the beach, south Orange County, LA county, and Inland Empire, Anaheim is centrally located with good access to major freeways. Downtown Anaheim and Platinum Triangle (near Angels stadium) has seen a lot of improvement recently, plenty of entertainment and food. North and west Anaheim tend to be the sketchier parts of the city though, but I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous. East Anaheim and Anaheim hills are more quiet, but much more expensive. The biggest con is the cost of living, but that applies to pretty much all of SoCal.

**chiguy**
Living in Anaheim
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I am in east Anaheim and we (wife, 4yo son, 1yo daughter) are enjoying the access to everything in SoCal and year-around good weather but we still complain about costs as much as anyone. Luckily my in-laws are 30 minutes away so childcare helps our decision.

For example, this year alone we have been with either our son, or all 4 of us:

Newport Beach beach day, 5-6 times

San Diego & Sea World weekend, this past weekend

Disneyland/CA Adventure, 3 times (3 day pass for SoCal residents)

San Diego Zoo Safari Park & San Diego Zoo Original

Big Bear Guys trip for downhill Mountain Biking, next weekend

OC Zoo, too may times to count ($2 and about 1 hr of enjoyment)

Discovery Cube, Hands-on 'exploratorium'

Adventure City, Hands-on kid-size 'city' indoor thing

Splash pads, a few city parks

e-biking in Yorba Regional Park and Santa Ana River trail (not beautiful but straight)

LA Zoo

CA Science Center & Exposition Park, 2 times (free)

Also having access to 4-5 airports including LAX is really nice and OC Airport is the best when they service your route.

I wish there was the greenery and nature of WA, but we are trying to take advantage of what we can in this expensive desert oasis.

**peacenchemicals**
Living in Anaheim
2y ago
🦉🦉

pros:

sports (honda center, angels stadium)

honda center has concerts sometimes

disneyland if u like disney shit

lots of breweries if ur a beer aficionado

it’s kind of in the middle of neighboring cities that have lots to offer (depends on where in anaheim tho obv)

nice weather, but obv that’s just a so cal thing in general

cons:

depending on where in anaheim, it can be sketchy

not really that diverse when it comes to cuisines or cultures

not much of a nightlife

it’s big, so if u find something in anaheim and think it’s close, it might be on the other side of anaheim lol

kinda boring

that’s all i can really think about atm. can’t speak on the school district cause i don’t have kids. this sub is pretty dead, you’ll get more answers on r/orangecounty

**Pros and Cons of Living in Anaheim 2022**

Are you considering moving to and living in Anaheim, California? We're weighing the pros vs cons to help you decide whether Anaheim is the best place for you to live. From Disneyland TO a plethora of places to eat & drink TO the traffic rush hour, there are plenty of factors to consider before buying your home in Anaheim. 

Anaheim, California

Ducktown

Looklyloo Score: 89

We're on it!