Rent is about $1,019/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
21 Replies
charlotte_kinsley
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Peter R.
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
Audrey Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Mackenzie H.
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
Matthew N.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, 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.
20 upvotes
Axel D.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
19 upvotes
Roy S.
following this thread
18 upvotes
Landon
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Sara P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Daniel K.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
15 upvotes
Ralph R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Downtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
14 upvotes
Rylee Morales
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Robert Gray
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Brittany C.
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 Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 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. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jaxon
accurate
9 upvotes
Jack
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Isaiah Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Leo
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
David Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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