It's a a small town city with about 12,374 people. Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. Rent is about $661/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Low crime in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Far from major airports
What neighborhoods would you suggest? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Connor W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
William Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. West 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Jack B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Seattle it's underrated.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth Nelson
preach
25 upvotes
Zoe J.
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Mia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Leah Wright
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
17 upvotes
Ryan M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
13 upvotes
Emmett Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
James C.
seconding this
10 upvotes
Rylee Campbell
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Dylan Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Sofia James
interesting, hadn't considered that
4 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte 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 Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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