Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm single, late 30s, and You can expect to pay around $1,446 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Anyone in a similar situation?
16 upvotes
16 Replies
Sebastian Roberts
lol so true
36 upvotes
Noah Walker
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
Bennett T.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Thomas Cox
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
29 upvotes
Matthew P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Eliana Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 24, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
28 upvotes
Theodore Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Dominic
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
Landon Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Dylan Gomez
Came here for work and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Willie P.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Mateo King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Ruby Jones
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Austin Brown
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Riverside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 San Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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