OK so Been living here since 2006. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Worth the trade-offs?
37 upvotes
30 Replies
Jack W.
I've lived in East for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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 pretty 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Lucy W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Reagan Adams
I've lived in Greenfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
James L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Megan S.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Everly D.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Greenfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Gabriel N.
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Ella Thompson
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Alice S.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
John Mendoza
I've lived in Midtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Elizabeth Davis
seconding this
26 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Atlanta, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
24 upvotes
Kaylee Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Naomi
lol so true
21 upvotes
Hannah P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Emmett Ramirez
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Eleanor Lopez
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
sf_hudson
nah I disagree
11 upvotes
Dennis H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Autumn W.
yep
8 upvotes
Xavier Wright
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to public transit but Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Mia A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
loving_roman38
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Aaliyah Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Elena H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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