Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $504,400, which is pretty steep. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
12 upvotes
24 Replies
Parker Long
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Lucy G.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Doris W.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Nicholas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Rylee
haha yep pretty much
29 upvotes
Grayson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Victoria Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 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:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Riverside schools are decent. 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. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Angel Jimenez
big facts right here
22 upvotes
Susan C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Naomi Morris
Used to live on the North side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
Mateo E.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Ruby Mitchell
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Sarah M.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
Daniel Ruiz
+1
13 upvotes
Paisley Price
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Ezra Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Miami, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
9 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Paul W.
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 Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Everett M.
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
seconding this
7 upvotes
Maya Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Lucas B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
Delilah R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
sophie_runner
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
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