Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 12 years and You can expect to pay around $806 for rent here. Homes are going for about $117,500 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? Thanks! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
4 upvotes
5 Replies
Luke Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
38 upvotes
Isabella Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Steven J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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
Aaliyah Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Alexander Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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