Curious what people think. We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $1,918 for rent here. Homes are going for about $387,400 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
11 upvotes
26 Replies
Zoe Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 4 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Meadowbrook schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
sophie_vibes
Moved here from Denver about 2 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Jayden Parker
big facts right here
38 upvotes
evelyn_heart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Samuel Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
wild_angel53
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Peyton P.
I work in legal here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Levi Price
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
Caleb Lee
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
Emma Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
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. Property taxes are high
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
25 upvotes
Madeline R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
phillyheart2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
20 upvotes
Zoey Gray
bump
19 upvotes
Elijah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Mateo H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
bennett_fan
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Carol L.
same here
12 upvotes
Connor P.
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Clara Edwards
Used to live on the South side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Asher Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Rylee
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Carson G.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are solid. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Robert Scott
I work in education here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Ruby G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Matthew Taylor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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