Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid.
10 upvotes
27 Replies
Isaac
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
raised_addison76
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Colton Young
Used to live on the North side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Lydia Lewis
this is the way
29 upvotes
Zoey M.
I'm a chef and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Jacob M.
literally same
28 upvotes
Luke T.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Nicholas Collins
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
born_zoe41
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Brielle Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Riverside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. average 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
18 upvotes
Olivia
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
18 upvotes
chicago_wesley
Moved here from San Diego about 15 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Isla
lol so true
15 upvotes
Nicholas H.
following this thread
14 upvotes
Aaron Y.
this is the way
13 upvotes
lake_carter57
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Oak Park area are average. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Vivian Ross
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
urban_john46
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Aaliyah Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
7 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
7 upvotes
Cameron Clark
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Charlotte Taylor
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
William Allen
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Adeline Thomas
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Zoe Reed
good to know, thanks
0 upvotes
milwaukeewalker2021
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.