Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
20 Replies
Sophie Kelly
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Naomi Peterson
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
William Alvarez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Savannah Lopez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Genesis M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
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: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Nicholas Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Anna Smith
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Hazel Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Victoria Cruz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
25 upvotes
Abigail Lee
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Zoey Rodriguez
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Luke Gray
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Sebastian B.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great craft beer places. it was the best decision I ever made.
15 upvotes
Willow Price
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Mia Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
10 upvotes
Sophia Harris
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Lily Jimenez
seconding this
6 upvotes
Gerald Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
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