16 Pros and Cons of Living in Anaheim, CA

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Considering a move to Anaheim, CA?

It’s a unique place to call home.

Living in Anaheim puts you within easy reach of both beaches and mountain peaks.

And the weather – warm summers, mild winters – it doesn’t get better than that!

Naturally, no place is perfect and Anaheim is no exception.

There are some negative aspects to contend with.

By exploring the pros and cons of living in this fair city, you can decide if it’s the right place for you.

Pros of Living in Anaheim, CA

Anaheim has many favorable qualities that make it a dynamic place to live.

There’s something for everyone in this diversified city.

Here are some of the pros of choosing Anaheim as your home.

1. Economy

Anaheim has a booming economy with tourism fanning the flames of its economic growth.

With the end of the pandemic, tourism is steadily on the rise.

Industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and trade also contribute to the city’s economic expansion.

With unemployment at an all-time low, there are ample opportunities for finding a job.

In this upper-class city, you can expect to earn well and enjoy a high standard of life.

2. Location

Anaheim’s central location gives you easy access to such hotspots as Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana.

This increases your opportunities for employment.

You can commute to a metropolitan city for work and return to your peaceful community at night.

You’re also not far from the amenities that metropolitan cities have to offer.

Boredom will never be a problem.

With the Santa Ana Mountains on one side and the mighty Pacific Ocean on the other – what’s there not to love?

3. Weather

Anaheim weather is to die for, especially if you’re coming from the frozen North.

Anaheim enjoys a temperate climate year-round, with warm, sunny summers and winters that are cozy and mild.

Any season is a good season to spend time in the great outdoors.

When you come to Anaheim, you leave extreme weather behind.

The days are pleasant for family excursions and the nights are cool for nights on the town.

4. Entertainment

Anaheim is known for fun in the sun and lively entertainment.

There’s no shortage of things to do and places to see, all within easy reach.

Love nature? Plan a visit to Anaheim Garden Walk, Yorba Regional Park, or any one of the beautiful national parks close by.

Into amusement parks? Disneyland is right next door!

Sports fiend? Anaheim is home to two sports stadiums and two professional sports teams to get you riled up!

You’ll also have easy access to L.A.’s nightlife, restaurant scene, theater, and more!

5. Family Friendly Environment

Anaheim is a family-friendly city filled with parks, playgrounds, lakes, nature preserves, and more!

Disneyland alone offers year-round attractions for kids of all ages to explore.

In Anaheim, you’ll find people from all cultures and walks of life.

Your children can meet and mingle with people from different countries around the world.

What better way to learn tolerance, acceptance, and understanding of others?

You can raise your family within a safe, culturally rich, green environment.

6. Educational Opportunities

Schools abound in the Anaheim region to provide your kids with a quality education.

With 74 public schools in the area, you’ll have no trouble covering your kids’ education from pre-K to high school graduation.

The district contains 47 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 14 high schools, so far.

With an above-average rating, Anaheim public schools are considered some of the best nationwide.

There are also numerous private and public colleges in the area for higher learning.

Anaheim’s trade schools offer high-tech training in fields like HVAC, welding, automotive diagnostics, electrical engineering, and more.

7. Low Crime Rate

Voted one of the safest cities in the country, Anaheim is considered a safe place to live.

The city is known for being clean, safe, and classy.

The violent crime rate in Anaheim is lower than both the state and national average.

Property crimes, however, like theft and pickpocketing, are high, due in part to all the tourists the city receives annually.

So, watch your wallet, and don’t leave valuables within sight in your car!

8. Neighbors with Mickey!

Anaheim is home to Disneyland Theme Park and Resort, considered one of the “happiest places on earth.”

This makes you neighbors with Mickey Mouse and all the Disney family.

Disneyland is a universal attraction for people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

No visit to the Golden State is complete without spending time at Disneyland Theme Park or Disney California Adventure Park.

If you’re a fan of Disney, Anaheim is the place to call home!

Cons of Living in Anaheim, CA

Now that we’ve covered all that’s good about Anaheim, it’s time to touch on some of the “bad.”

Comparing the pros AND cons gives you a clearer picture of what to expect.

1. Cost of Living

In addition to being clean, safe, and classy, Anaheim is also an EXPENSIVE.

In fact, the city was recently ranked as one of the costliest places to live in the country.

Needless to say, it’s not a good choice for people looking to save money.

Anaheim’s proximity to Los Angeles makes it a popular tourist attraction, which accounts for some of the high prices.

Expect to pay more for food, transportation, real estate, rentals, and other necessities when you choose Anaheim as your home.

2. Tourists, Tourists, and More Tourists!

For a city that houses less than 400,000, Anaheim can sure get crowded!

That’s because it receives around 25 million visitors from around the globe annually.

At any given time, there may be over 60,000 tourists roaming around Anaheim and its local attractions.

The influx of so many tourists accounts in part for the city’s high cost of living.

Overcrowding during high-peak tourist season can have negative consequences on the environment.

For experienced pick-pocket thieves, Anaheim is a virtual paradise.

3. Bad Traffic

Anaheim rivals Los Angeles when it comes to traffic due to being part of that metropolitan area.

If you commute to Los Angeles or other nearby cities, traffic jams can be a nightmare.

You can count on being surrounded by cars on the freeway your entire route.

Anaheim traffic is hard to escape, especially with 25 million tourists visiting annually.

That’s because their primary source of transport is … driving!

4. High Property Costs

Real estate costs in Anaheim are steadily rising.

Currently, the median cost of a single-family home in the city is about $850,000.

This is over 150% higher than the national average.

High property costs coupled with high interest rates are putting Anaheim real estate out of reach of the average householder.

Before long, only the wealthy will be able to purchase a home here.

A lack of affordable housing could hinder the economic growth of the area.

5. High Rental Costs

Anaheim ranks 9th among major cities in the U.S. for having the highest rental costs.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,870 whereas a 2-bedroom apartment may go for as much as $2,350.

This is almost 65% higher than the U.S. average.

Naturally, some neighborhoods are more affordable than others.

Choosing a less popular or desirable neighborhood could save you a few hundred dollars monthly.

You just need to be careful not to compromise safety for cost.

6. Homelessness

Anaheim struggles with a homelessness problem.

The homeless population of Anaheim is higher than any other city in Orange County.

Homelessness can lead to drug and alcohol abuse and a rise in crime.

Through outreach programs, transitional housing, and opportunities for employment, the city hopes to get homelessness under control.

7. Drug Abuse

Opioid abuse is yet another concern for the city of Anaheim.

Like many cities across the country, Anaheim has seen its fair share of substance abuse problems.

Over the last 10 years, the percentage of young people receiving treatment for opioid and heroin abuse has risen from 12% to 44%.

Fortunately, programs have been put into place to help combat this problem.

8. Not a Good Fit for You

Despite its beauty and charm, Anaheim may simply not be the right place for you.

If you’re not into the hype of Disney or theme parks, living here will have no appeal.

Not everyone wants to share their home with thousands of foreign tourists.

You may prefer a slower-paced, less costly place for retirement.

Heck – you may even want to enjoy snow once in a while!

Pros and Cons of Living in Anaheim, CA – Summary Table

Anaheim Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Anaheim Safety Review

Safety Index:

73

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW