Garden Grove is a city in Orange County, California. It is the fifty-seventh most populated city in the country. It ranks thirteenth when it comes to the number of residents in California.
If there is one thing about Garden Grove, it is its Vietnamese population. The city is well known for housing the country’s largest Vietnamese population.
It is also one of the cities that pioneered ordinances against hate crimes. The regulation seeks to protect the LGBTQ++ community from crimes and discrimination.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Garden Grove?
Living here and being so close to Long Beach is one of the best things. Also, the city is safe. It is also a city that comes with large lot sizes.
On the other hand, the city can be hot. Traffic here can also be heavy. And finally, the nightlife here may be lacking.
Do you think you can live in Garden Grove?
We will see.
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Is Garden Grove, CA, a good place to live in? A City on the Northern Side of Orange County
Garden Grove, a city on the northern side of Orange County in California, is an excellent place to live.
It lies about 34 miles southeast of Los Angeles and has a population of about 200,000.
Compared to most of the local cities, it is safer. It has a substantial Vietnamese community, hence, the great food. And finally, it is a city that accepts you regardless of race, gender, age, and political stand.
The Good Side
As was already mentioned, Garden Grove, California, is a fantastic city for some reasons.
Here, we discuss every detail.
A Festival of Strawberries
Every Memorial Day weekend, a festival takes place in Garden Grove.
This festival is the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.
It is one of the largest community festivals in the country. Also, it is a magnet to thousands of visitors and attracts about a quarter of a million yearly.
The festival started in 1958 as the city celebrated its rich agriculture.
The city is famous for cultivating several crops like chilis, oranges, strawberries, and walnuts. In honor of these crops, the town came up with the Annual Strawberry Festival.
There are several activities during the festival.
Here, you can witness the cutting of the largest strawberry shortcake in the world. There are also carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and a celebrity-filled parade.
Plus, there is a beauty pageant organized by some of Garden Grove’s organizations. The Miss Garden Grove Scholarship Program is similar to the Miss America Pageant that pays homage to the beauties of Garden Grove.
During its 50th year, citizens painted fire hydrants all over the city with different strawberry designs. These designs recognize the festival as a significant part of the culture and history of Garden Grove.
Diversity is its Core
One of the most ethnically diverse metros in the area is Garden Grove.
The people here consider themselves to belong to various racial and ethnic groups. The most numbers of residents appear to be Asians. The second biggest community here is the Whites.
Garden Grove also has a substantial Hispanic community. The residents who belong to the Hispanic community can be of any race. Some of them are from Mexico. Others are from Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Panama.
The Latinos or Hispanics compose about 36% of the city population.
There is also a scattering of German, Irish, Italian, French, and English communities.
Those born outside the country compose about 43% of the city’s population.
And because of its diversity, there are several languages spoken here. The most dominant language is English. Several communities talk in Vietnamese and Spanish.
The Drive to Long Beach is Not That Long
Garden Grove is a city that is near Long Beach.
The city nestles in the eastern area of Santa Ana. Its borders include the municipalities of Los Alamitos in the northeast, Stanton to the southwest, Westminster to the north, and Cypress to the southeast.
Anaheim and Fountain Valley are destinations on the western side of Garden Grove.
You can easily access several other locations by taking the Garden Grove Freeway or the Gardena Freeway. One of the most famous locations in Long Beach.
Free Concerts in the Park
If you love free concerts, Garden Grove is perfect for you.
Here, you can have free concerts and live music at the park.
Every summer, the city becomes host to several free concerts that all happen at the park.
The concerts feature local bands and musicians.
They perform several genres.
There is pop music.
There is country music.
There are even nights when local musicians play jazz.
Each week, a different park becomes host to these free concerts. So, every week, you have another show to watch. You also go to another park.
Every weekend presents you with a different experience.
And best of all, these concerts are free.
Check out these free concerts if you are a local or a tourist.
You will have a great time.
A Lot Size Bigger
Lot sizes in Garden Grove are more extensive than its neighbors.
The city is immense. Its lot sizes are larger than the others.
Here, the average lot size is about 10,000 square feet. Its size is way bigger than its neighbors.
For example, the average lot sizes in Anaheim and Westminster are only about 7,500 square feet.
Aside from lot sizes, Garden Grove also has a higher home value than its neighbors.
Orange County is one of the richest counties in the country. Garden Grove is part of Orange County.
So, its location near Los Angeles makes the city a destination for most families. Even individuals looking for a safe and stable community will love it here.
A Safer City
Garden Grove is a city that is safer than its neighbors.
It has a strong police presence. It could be because of the strong police presence that crime rates here are lower.
In Garden Grove, it is common to find several community organizations that push for safety. These community organizations work hand in hand with the local government to ensure the security and safety of the city.
The organizations make sure to offer programs and resources. These programs and resources help residents stay in the loop regarding security and safety.
The organizations also engage the residents, especially in matters of security.
As a result, the city is a welcoming and safe place to live.
The Bad Side
Of course, there will always be downfalls in Garden Grove.
There may be a few things to note. However, these are all minor. There is one thing, however, that you have to know before you decide to move here.
The Hot Weather
If there is one thing you have to know, it is that Garden Grove goes through hot summers.
The average high temperature here reaches about 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. And this is only the average temperature. There are days when the temperature can get hotter than this.
However, this weather is quite typical in the city.
Most of the time, the temperatures can hit or even exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
It is advisable that in the summer, you have to stay hydrated.
Also, ensure you do not go out much during the hot season. Or, if you do, be sure to have a safe shelter from the heat.
When you move here, you have to have an air conditioning system. You mustn’t miss it.
Of course, all over the city, you will find shade-providing trees. They help keep the temperatures cooler than they should be.
If you have a garden, make sure to water your plants in the morning and the evening. During these times, the heat of the sun is not that strong.
If you live here, make sure to take the usual precautions.
Residents of Garden Grove manage to stay safe and comfortable despite the hot weather. And yes, you can survive the heat, too.
What is the cost of living in Garden Grove, CA? Living 56.9% Higher than the US Average
Garden Grove is in California. And cities in California are always more expensive than the national average.
Garden Grove’s overall cost of living is about 56.9% higher than the national average.
The Good Side
A couple of commodities in Garden Grove serve as good news.
These two commodities are lower than the national average.
First, we have the cost of healthcare.
The cost of healthcare is 4.1% cheaper than the national average. Compared to the state average, healthcare here is more expensive. It is less expensive than the rest of the nation, nevertheless.
And in recent years, the pandemic made the world realize how important healthcare is.
This commodity is an advantage if you move to Garden Grove.
Also, the cost of utilities is cheaper in Garden Grove.
Utility costs are 1.8% cheaper than the national average.
However, even if it is cheaper, you need to be careful. Utility costs rely heavily on your consumption.
It could be detrimental if you use excessive electricity, pay for more expensive internet plans, or utilize water carelessly. Your utility costs may be greater than the national average.
But for this discussion, Garden Grove has lower utility costs than the average American city.
The Bad Side
Garden Grove has the word “costly” written all over it.
One of the reasons the overall cost of living here is expensive is the price of housing.
Housing costs in Garden Grove are 172.8% more expensive than the national average. It is even more expensive here than in the average city in California.
For example, the median home cost in Garden Grove amounts to US$765,300. This amount is more expensive than the national average of US$291,700.
The cost of transportation is also expensive here.
As of this writing, it is 17.3% more expensive than the national average.
Another commodity to watch out for is the cost of food and groceries.
Here, food and groceries amount to 2.5% more expensive rates than the national average.
However, you may save if you cook at home and become wise with your groceries.
Like the cost of utilities, the cost of food and groceries also relies heavily on your consumption.
Be cautious when using these two. Because if you play your cards well, you might be able to save money rather than spend a lot.
And that can help your overall cost of living in Garden Grove.
Why work in Garden Grove, CA? A City with Mixed Workforce
There are numerous benefits to working in Garden Grove. Compared to other cities, the current economic situation might not seem optimal. However, we still find enough reasons to go there and work.
The Good Side
Garden Grove has a low poverty rate. Also, not only is it diverse in race, but the city also has a mixed leveling in its workforce.
Here are the advantages of working in Garden Grove.
A Low Poverty Rate
One of the good things about Garden Grove is its low poverty rate.
While not precisely connected with finding jobs in the city, the rate indicates the town is doing well.
The national average poverty rate is a little above 14%. The poverty rate in Garden Grove is 12.88% which is lower.
The numbers show that the city can provide a means of livelihood to its residents.
The unemployment rate may be higher (which we will discuss later). However, the city can maintain a lower poverty level than the national average.
The city can still provide.
Mixed Workforce
Some cities have a workforce composed of white-collar workers dominating. Other cities also have blue-collar occupations that dominate the economy.
In Garden Grove, it is neither.
Garden Grove has a mixed workforce of blue and white collar jobs.
Overall, you will see a city of service providers, professionals, and sales/office workers dominating.
There are a lot of workers who work in the offices and provide administrative support. Some workers work in sales. About 7% also work at the management level.
Also, the city has more workers that deal with computers and math than anywhere else in the country.
A Higher Education
Looking at the level of education in the city, Garden Grove is a little higher.
The level of education here is higher than in an average American city.
About 22.8% of the population have at least a bachelor’s degree.
If you are hiring in Garden Grove, finding a profile that fits your needs will never be challenging.
The Bad Side
On the other hand, working in Garden Grove has its drawbacks.
Read on to find out.
The Problem with Unemployment
In Garden Grove, there is a persistent problem with unemployment.
According to the most recent statistics, Garden Grove’s unemployment rate is 7.9%. This rate exceeds the 6% national average.
In the previous year, there was a growth in the job market of 0.6%.
This growth may sound like good news. However, the increase is not that significant.
The projection in the next ten years is that growth will be up to 31.5%. The projected growth is lower than the national average of 33.5%.
There may be growth in the job market in the previous year. However, the city has to ensure that the development can accommodate the needs of its workforce.
The unemployment rate is still high in Garden Grove.
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Garden Grove is a decent enough city in the state of California.
It has festivals, several activities for you and your family, and is safer than most major cities in the country.
However, the city needs to work on stabilizing its job market.
The city may be seeing growth in terms of jobs. However, it is not yet that significant to create an impact.
If you have a job waiting in Garden Grove, this is the perfect time to move there.
If you don’t have a job yet, you can look for one before deciding to move.
Aside from the concern with the job market, Garden Grove is perfect.
Would you move here?
Let me know.