Random thought, It's a a smaller city city with about 27,009 people. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? Cheers.
19 upvotes
29 Replies
Diana R.
great question, following
40 upvotes
Silas J.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Alice Brooks
spot on
39 upvotes
Grace H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Cameron Smith
literally same
36 upvotes
Cooper Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Stella Reed
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
33 upvotes
Nicholas Y.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
32 upvotes
Brooks Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
victoria_mama
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Julia H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Isabelle
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Everly D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
23 upvotes
Allison M.
lol so true
21 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Dominic Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Emma Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Madeline Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Grayson Evans
Saving this thread
16 upvotes
Michael
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Evan Ruiz
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Jameson T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
8 upvotes
Sean R.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Aubrey Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
6 upvotes
Jonathan Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Violet L.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Parker Thompson
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Aubrey Mitchell
I've lived in Riverside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Valentina 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 11 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
