8.7 out of 10

Carlsbad

Ranked 7th best city in California
33.1221498069088 -117.28738780323
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Internet Access
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Schools
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
2yrs+

"Quiet and gorgeous"

We've been here in the area for several weeks and love it. Stores and groceries are a few minutes by car. The neighborhood is friendly and very well maintained. The Calavera Trail system is spectacular, accessible from just behind our monthly rental.
Pros
  • Trails
  • Nature
Cons
  • Have to drive everywhere
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Carlsbad Wannabes Wannabe There"

Carlsbad is quaint, it has an achronistic feel to it and the dominant architecture is Disneyesque with you expect to see Heidi skipping down the nearest hillside with a bucket of milk. The nightlife there is pretty great will lots of different styles of venues. There is a good mix of locals and tourists and prices are fair for the location. No bargain, but not a ripoff either.

Parking is a bit of a pain and traffic can test your patience. The area of Carlsbad is located on a beachside bluff so you access the beach via periodic staircases that lead from street level down to the sand. I was suprised Carlsbad ranked so high in rankings and must be more of a testiment to internet saviness of locals than intrinsic goodness of Carlsbad. La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Cardiff all have what Carlsbad has without the traffic and lack of parking.
Pros
  • Nightlife
  • Cute touristy architecture
Cons
  • Traffic
  • Parking
  • Poor beach access
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Paradise by the Sea"

I really enjoyed living in Carlsbad. I moved from Seattle to Carlsbad and I have to say "What a difference" the weather was fantastic and I felt so much more comfortable down there versus Seattle. The ocean was beautiful and relaxing and people in Carlsbad seem much frienlier compared to Seattle.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers

Travelling to Carlsbad?

Find Hotels

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More