Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $161,184 in Bell Acres. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. What would you do? The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
11 Replies
Valentina
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Madeline Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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 solid - 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. Midtown schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
josiah_vibes
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's hit or miss.
23 upvotes
Aiden
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
16 upvotes
Amber B.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
10 upvotes
Nova S.
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
8 upvotes
Jeremiah Robinson
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
urban_abigail11
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Melanie M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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