Not sure if this has been asked before, but I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,552/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 121K people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I overthinking this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
13 upvotes
16 Replies
Aria Lee
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Brielle Smith
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Genesis Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Nova Cook
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Peyton Gutierrez
This.
35 upvotes
Aaron R.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
28 upvotes
John Cook
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Carson Carter
underrated comment
16 upvotes
carter_guy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Justin P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Luca Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Mateo Hill
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
5 upvotes
evelyn_girl
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Old Town area are solid. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Sadie G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Avery Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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