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Piper moving

Remote worker thinking about Charlottesville

Hey, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
13 upvotes

8 Replies

Lily
bump
39 upvotes
Jacob Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to LA it's better than expected.
31 upvotes
Brielle Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Tampa 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 Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.

People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Grace Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains 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 excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Adrian Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Roger H.
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Jacob Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.

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.
13 upvotes
Mason P.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
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