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Sophia Jones qa

Dog-friendly places in Bartonville?

Been meaning to ask this. My partner and I are Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes

14 Replies

Maria M.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
Xavier C.
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 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 San Francisco, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Gianna D.
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Aurora Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.

I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Ava
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Johnny T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Zoe W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces

Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
portland_jacob
yep
19 upvotes
Ella O.
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Ezekiel Rivera
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
16 upvotes
Clara Martin
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
15 upvotes
John Ortiz
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 Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 pretty 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
sacramentoguy2023
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
detroitdude2023
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.

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.
3 upvotes
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