**Jesuslocasti**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

The city is in an ideal spot imo. 2 hours to sf, sometimes less. 4 to LA. 1.5 to Yosemite. 1.5, or less, to the ocean. You have access to all the things that make CA great at a short drive.

Costs are also still low compared to the large CA cities. To me, it seems like locals tend to bash Merced more than people coming in from the outside. Truly think it’s a great place to be. It’ll only get better as the university fully develops and turns north Merced into a college town.

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

Reviews of Merced from Locals

Merced

**Jesuslocasti**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

The city is in an ideal spot imo. 2 hours to sf, sometimes less. 4 to LA. 1.5 to Yosemite. 1.5, or less, to the ocean. You have access to all the things that make CA great at a short drive.

Costs are also still low compared to the large CA cities. To me, it seems like locals tend to bash Merced more than people coming in from the outside. Truly think it’s a great place to be. It’ll only get better as the university fully develops and turns north Merced into a college town.

**Adabiviak**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I live in the mountains but spend every weekend in Merced. My take:

The bike trails are wonderful - I don't play on the pavement where I live (all streets with no shoulder and blind corners = death wish), so I get my level bike ride fixes there. Merced isn't unique for having bike trails, but the way they meander through town alongside the little rivers (and Yosemite Lake) is pretty charming.

I technically live in beaver country, but have never seen as many beavers as I have in the creeks in Merced. I still think it's a treat to see them.

The city is littered with fruit trees. The entire place is a garden when the time is right.

I think the restaurant selection is great. I mean, I think most places in California have a good restaurant selection, but Merced's are close enough that we can hit them on a leisurely bike ride.

KaioKennan
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Moved to Houston for all of 2023 and I’m back in Merced because as it turns out, big cities are fine and dandy but I love my parents and the 30 years of friendships and memories I have here. I also love that on any weekend I can just decide if I want to hike in the Sierras or swim in the Pacific. Merced isn’t perfect but it is without a doubt my home and where I want to be.

**Pros and Cons of Living in Merced, California | Is Merced the Right Place for You?**


Merced, California

City on the Rise

Looklyloo Score: 81