Hi all, Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The city has invested a lot in new development.
22 upvotes
29 Replies
Maya
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Cora Jackson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Leah Lopez
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
philly_jordan
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Mackenzie Edwards
great question, following
32 upvotes
Alexa
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Joshua M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Danielle H.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is average and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Abigail J.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The job market is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Zoey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. decent 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
27 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Paisley S.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
John Morris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
John Garcia
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
21 upvotes
Lily N.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Audrey Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Ella W.
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Amelia Stewart
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.
15 upvotes
Oliver Bennett
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
zoey_mind
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Vivian Reyes
I'm a teacher and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Victoria Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Clara Brooks
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Vivian T.
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
1 upvotes
claire_chef
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Bella Harris
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
0 upvotes
Angel Baker
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
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