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Madelyn Foster
best-worst
Biggest downsides of living in Ashland?
Curious what people think. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks for reading.
14 upvotes
9 Replies
Michael A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
38 upvotes
Avery Rivera
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Leo Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests 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 challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests 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 challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jose Bailey
spot on
18 upvotes
Matthew T.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
18 upvotes
Elijah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Austin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Noah L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
5 upvotes
Carter Bailey
lol so true
1 upvotes