Poverty rate is 8.1%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $429,000 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
21 upvotes
25 Replies
Ella
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Jose Wood
I'm a pharmacist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Aaron T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Noah L.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's improving.
34 upvotes
Evelyn Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Leo Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Margaret R.
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Ryan W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from New York about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Amelia Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
28 upvotes
tampakid2023
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
24 upvotes
Paisley
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
chicago_silas
literally same
24 upvotes
Axel Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Paisley Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Olivia R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
21 upvotes
Jason F.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Isabelle Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 52, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
18 upvotes
Luke Mendoza
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
18 upvotes
Marie M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Jayden P.
hard disagree but ok
12 upvotes
Hailey
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Dallas it's tough.
9 upvotes
Ariana Young
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Madeline Allen
couldn't agree more
1 upvotes
Luna Evans
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 Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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 surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Kayden Flores
Moved here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to job market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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