Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2018. Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
17 Replies
Elijah G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Connor Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta 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 underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Mia Evans
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Theodore L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
38 upvotes
orlandonative2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Joshua
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Jayden Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Lucy W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Zoey Adams
good to know, thanks
30 upvotes
Carson
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Ian James
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Westside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Cora Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Kai S.
Moved here from Austin about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Lily Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's solid.
9 upvotes
Elijah
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
mountain_sarah97
lol so true
5 upvotes
Jameson Chavez
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much wild but now it's tough.
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