Hey everyone, Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $161,400, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $55,848, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 3,040 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? TIA! There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
5 Replies
Isabella Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. decent 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
Colton Taylor
Moved here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to housing market but No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Allison Castillo
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Riverside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Jack Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
matthew_guy
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
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