Anyone else feel this way? Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Jonathan Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 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 1-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
nycdude2021
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Weston Howard
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Miles Campbell
This.
26 upvotes
urban_eli26
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Jayden Roberts
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The healthcare is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Joshua
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
16 upvotes
Emily C.
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Kayden James
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The job market is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
nyc_evelyn
I'm a nurse and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Willow
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
6 upvotes
Everett Murphy
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
nashvillefan2024
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Everett G.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.