Random thought, Been living here since 2014. Let me know your thoughts. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
55 upvotes
22 Replies
Samuel Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Lillian R.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
40 upvotes
Katherine Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate 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 underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
jose_mind
same here
33 upvotes
Benjamin Reed
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Violet Perez
Came here for retirement and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Melanie Roberts
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
omaha_aaron
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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 better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Cooper Long
I'm a teacher and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Savannah Mendoza
I've lived in Greenfield for about 8 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 New York, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Aaron P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
19 upvotes
Isabelle Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Piper H.
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Isla Morales
hmm interesting perspective
16 upvotes
Everly Cooper
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Caleb Miller
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Chloe Smith
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Delilah R.
lol so true
7 upvotes
Isabelle Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
nolanative2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
4 upvotes
Everett Wood
Came here for weather and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Audrey Ross
I'm a lawyer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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