Alright, I'm single, late 50s, and Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Homes are going for about $161,400 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,344 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I wrong here? Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
26 upvotes
13 Replies
Claire Sanchez
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Delilah Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Adeline Alvarez
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Aiden Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Ethan Mendoza
I work in retail here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is pretty good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Cora C.
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
25 upvotes
Jack Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Michael James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Landon Ward
Used to live on the East side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
22 upvotes
Robert Martinez
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
sacramentoguy2023
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to walkability but Happy to answer more specific questions..
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