To some, Menifee is the land of opportunity. You can find a brand new single-family home here for the same price as a fixer-upper in neighboring Murrieta, Temecula or Riverside. Many families attracted to the schools and lifestyle of these neighboring cities end up choosing to move to Menifee where their budget will go a lot further. Median home prices here are $552,122 compared to $660,640 in Murrieta and $729, 920 in Temecula.

Menifee is growing rapidly. In fact, it was the third fastest growing city in California as of late 2022. New homes, medical facilities, commercial buildings and schools are being built all the time. Many who have decided to move to Menifee are making a bet on the city’s potentially bright future. They got in while the housing market is still reasonable, trusting that as the city builds up around them, property values and entertainment options, high-end restaurants and transportation infrastructure will catch up.


A Lot of Potential

The Best Thing About Menifee?

Despite the city’s rapid growth in recent years, Menifee is still lacking in entertainment options. Especially for its size, you’d expect it to have a bit more to do. Residents often have to travel to neighboring towns to see a movie, visit a larger mall or enjoy a more niche restaurant. This dependence on car travel only compounds the traffic problem. City leaders are working to build a couple new exits off the 215 freeway, but until more businesses come to Menifee, residents will be using the freeway frequently to commute to work or find things to do. 



Not Much to Do Here, Yet

The Worst Thing About Menifee?

While indoor entertainment like a movie theater and a larger shopping mall are still in the works, Menifee does offer lots to do outdoors, especially for families. The city has such a plethora of parks that you can safely assume there will be at least one in your neighborhood to enjoy. Depending on which one you visit, you may find amenities like playgrounds, tennis courts, skateparks, basketball courts, swimming pools and even dog parks, to entertain your friends and family. 

Menifee also offers a network of nature trails, as well as the paved [**Salt Creek Trail**](https://rcprojects.org/salt-creek-trail) where runners and cyclists can get their workout on this 4.2 mile path (there are plans to eventually extend the trail to a total of 16 miles). If you like fishing, catch and release is allowed within a few lakes in the city. If you don’t want to drive too far to enjoy some camping under the stars, you can set up your tent or RV at Wilderness Lakes RV Park. The spaciousness of the land surrounding the city also means great opportunities for motor sports enthusiasts and those interested in taking some horseback riding lessons at a nearby ranch before the backdrop of the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains.

Like we’ve said, lots of families choose Menifee for the brand new homes and schools that are at a price point they can afford. One of the most popular master planned communities is Audie Murphy Ranch, where residents benefit from resort-style amenities and access to nature. The pools in these planned communities can be especially welcome on those summer days when ten degrees warmer than the coast plus no coastal breeze are really getting to you. You might be more likely to enjoy a chill backyard barbecue than a lively night out, but that sits perfectly well with many who choose to call Menifee home.


Great for Families

Lifestyle of Menifee

Literally as we type this, more new schools are being built to serve Menifee’s growing population of families. The [**Menifee Union School District**](https://www.menifeeusd.org/) has expanded from serving 301 students in 1981 to serving 11,440 in 2023 through its 1 preschool, 11 elementary schools, 1 K-8 school (plus a K-8 virtual school), 3 middle schools and a robust Independent Study program. Niche.com has awarded the district an overall “B” rating. 

You may be wondering, where are the high schools? Don’t worry, they’re here, just part of other districts. The newly built [**Liberty High School**](https://www.lhs.puhsd.org/12/home), part of the Perris Union High School District, opened its doors in 2021. Parents are thrilled by the school’s technologically-rich learning environment. Students can choose between four career-prep pathways. They include Business & Entrepreneurship, Public Service & Leadership, Health Sciences & Medical Technology, and Engineering, Innovation & Design. If you have doubts about Menifee offering an elevated standard of living at a more reasonable cost, just take a walk around the Liberty High School campus…it looks like a community college!

If there’s room in the budget for private school, families have choices here too. [**California Lutheran High School**](https://www.clhsonline.net/), [**Cornerstone Christian School**](https://ccswildomar.com/) and [**Calvary Murrieta Christian Schools**](https://cmcsweb.com/) all have “A-” or higher ratings on Niche.com.


Brand New

Schools in Menifee

Menifee is going to continue to grow significantly, likely passing nearby Murrieta and Temecula in population size, because it has space to do so. Those able to get in early before prices go up will maximize their return on investment. For many, moving to Menifee is taking a slight leap of faith. You’re betting on what the city can grow to be, but at today’s reasonable price. 


Get In Early

Why You Should Move Here Now

Menifee Lakes might be the number one sought after neighborhood for families moving to town. Here, you’ll find newer medium-sized, 3-4 bedroom single-family homes nestled amongst three peaceful lakes. Plenty of parks mean families can enjoy miles of beautiful walking trails, fishing access and kayaking. The Bay Club within the community is a great place to relax and have fun with the family. It features water slides, two pools, a fitness center and more. If this doesn’t sound boujee enough for you, the [**Menifee Lakes Country Club**](https://menifeelakesgolf.com/) offers an upscale golf course where you can play a few rounds on the lush 30+ acre property. When you need to make a trip to Lowe’s, Target or Albertsons, it’s just a 10 minute drive to Newport Road. 


Families/DINKS

Menifee Lakes

Audie Murphy Ranch offers resort-style living in a master planned community. The Ranch House, a social hub in the neighborhood, isn’t lacking in amenities. Here you’ll find two swimming pools, a spa, a tot lot, a game area, shade structures and more. The community’s long list of parks offer everything from walking trails and wide open grassy areas to sports facilities like a soccer park and baseball field. There are even schools within this community. The one drawback (or positive for introverts and homebodies) is that the nearest highway and shopping center is five miles away, making a trip to the bank a little less convenient than other neighborhoods in Menifee.


Audie Murphy Ranch

Another resort-style community, Park Ridge at [**Menifee Town Center**](https://www.regentproperties.com/menifee-town-center-sold) is also a master planned community filled with new single-family homes. Highlights of this neighborhood include a five acre park, walking trails, a state of the art recreation center and its great proximity to daily conveniences. Mid-sized families looking for 3-4 bedroom homes will have a lot to choose from here. And if you need to run to the store to grab some extra groceries because your kid invited all her neighborhood friends over for dinner, the nearest shopping center is only a 5-10 minute drive away.


Park Ridge at Menifee Town Center

Menifee

**Menifee is actually a nice city**

I recently relocated to Menifee from Los Angeles. I got a job offer to stay in Los Angeles but also got one in Menifee for more money and decided with the already lower cost of living here to go for it. I prepared myself for the stark difference between the city life and desert suburbia and did lots of reading on this very subreddit and, to be honest, from everything I read I began to regret my decision.

But I am here today to say Menifee is actually nice! Like I said, I did “research” on this subreddit to find out more about Menifee and it didn’t get a great rep. People actually were telling others not to move here. But having been here a month I’m happy with my decision.

You are literally (depending on the time you leave of course) an hour from Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Lake Arrowhead*, San Diego, and Orange County. Most of the shopping centers are brand new so they’re nice and well kept and we have all the staples. Coming from LA I can actually say there are some good restaurants here. There’s always a new store or restaurant popping up. I feel very safe here (ofc there are some neighborhoods like any city you don’t wanna be in at night) and the streets and sidewalks and parks are always clean. People are noticeably nice. Cost of living is more affordable.

I work in real estate and have been looking into the housing market here and people who bought here even just a year ago could already sell their house for 10% more than they bought it. With all the new stores and shops and the influx of new residents it’s a great time to buy here. (Edit: Great time to buy here, in Menifee specifically)

Now, obviously, there isn’t a ton to actually do. If you wanna see a movie or go bowling you have to go to Temecula. If you wanna go to a fun bar or club you gotta head to Riverside. But I’m confident in a couple years Menifee will have all of that, too. This city is developing like CRAZY. And the fact is, you can live in Menifee for much less and still have a short drive to those entertainment spots in those cities.

I’m in my early 20s, so yeah I miss my city nightlife sometimes but I would highly recommend Menifee to young families or even young professionals like me who are okay with a short commute for a fun night out.

I think in 5 years Menifee will be a truly desirable city to live in!

Edit: Lake Arrowhead not Big Bear

**Moving to Menifee**

Pros:
Affordable and beautiful homes (more affordable than surrounding towns)
Great weather if you like the heat
About an hour away from everything
Very little crime
Decent schools

Cons:
Vast majority of people are conservative (I am liberal, so it's difficult sometimes)
I hear commuting is really bad, unless you go in to work at odd times (I work remotely)
Beach is pretty far and on some days the traffic can make the trip difficult
Only a few non-chain restaurants that are good
Asian groceries are difficult to come by (have to go to Temecula for that)

**Moving to Menifee**

It's growing a lot, it's up almost 20% since I moved here in 2010, and it's a nice town. Don't underestimate what everyone says about the heat, it's no joke. I moved from Carlsbad, and used to think San Marcos was warm and Escondido was hot, but this is another level. This year is unusual for how cool it is. Usually by May it's high 90's / low 100's, and by mid July it'll get to the 110's for several weeks and won't really let up til about October. But that said, the houses are nice, the yards are big, and the entertainment options grow all the time.

Menifee, California

Growing, Growing, Gone

Looklyloo Score: 78

Menifee Lakes

Families/DINKS

Audie Murphy Ranch

Families/DINKS

Park Ridge at Menifee Town Center

Families/DINKS