I work in automotive and Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Grayson C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
charlotte_jack
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
Jameson Hall
I'm a project manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Easton Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Joshua
+1
26 upvotes
Sadie Morris
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Brenda P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Michael Long
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Sharon W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Gabriella Campbell
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Jacob Garcia
Moved here from New York about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Hope this helps!.
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