Hey, I'm a 45-year-old pharmacist and Median household income is $41,328, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks for reading.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Josiah Myers
bump
37 upvotes
Evelyn Gray
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Delilah Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Isabella B.
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Carter Phillips
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Reagan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Silas Anderson
100%
25 upvotes
Christian A.
spot on
23 upvotes
Lily King
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Elena Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Isabella Walker
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
William Alvarez
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Leah Robinson
lol so true
10 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
6 upvotes
Denise R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.