Costa Mesa, CA Area Guide

What do the locals think about Costa Mesa?

Based on 6 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

New Real Estate Listings in Costa Mesa Area

See How Much House You Can Afford. Get Pre-Approved Today

Costa Mesa Reviews

How Do You Rate The Livability In Costa Mesa?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100

0
Awful25
Poor50
Average75
Good100
Great

2. Select any tags that apply to this area

Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

Submit View results

Compare Costa Mesa, CA Livability

vs Compare

Costa Mesa, CA

Costa Mesa is one of the biggest cities in Orange County, California and it has managed to grow from a small rural community into a mid-sized city in a very short period of time. Despite that rapid growth, much of the city has kept its small-town feel and that makes it the perfect place to move for people who might be coming from smaller areas. The economy has grown just as quickly as the population and this city is certainly an up-and-coming place with lots of potential.

Costa Mesa's economy is primarily based on the service and retail industries, though it has begun to develop corporate relationships as well. Some of the largest employers currently are El Pollo Loco, Experian and the Orange Coast College. All types of workers will be able to find opportunities here, regardless of their specialty.

For those interested in moving with their family or starting one, Costa Mesa has some excellent public and private school options. In terms of higher education, the city is home to Orange Coast College and Vanguard University, among several others. Costa Mesa has plenty of options for outdoor recreation and entertainment, including a beautiful fairgrounds and Pacific Amphitheater, where the Orange County Fair is held annually. For shoppers, you can find most of what you need at South Coast Plaza or the Costa Mesa Shopping Center. You likely won't have any trouble finding interesting things to do in this area.

Public transportation is available in Costa Mesa and it connects much of Orange County. There are also well-kept highways and roads which have much less traffic than busier parts of California like Los Angeles. Most residents prefer cars for transportation but biking is also an option if you're looking to be environmentally friendly.

The cost of living in Costa Mesa is expensive compared to the rest of the United States but cheaper than many parts of California. The average rent is a little over $2,000. Groceries are about the same as anywhere else in the country thanks to the number of local supermarkets and low-cost alternatives. Costa Mesa has a higher minimum wage than much of the United States but you should still probably aim to have a high paying job or savings to help with the high cost of the area.

Moving to Costa Mesa is about joining a community of friendly, hardworking people. The city has grown incredibly in the past few decades alone and there is still plenty of room for positive change. If you decide to move to Costa Mesa, you will have a chance to make your own positive influence on the area and you will likely feel at home in no time at all.