Hey everyone, Crime rate is something to consider -Florissant sits at 187.1 per 100K. Household incomes average around $66,344 in Florissant. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
14 upvotes
19 Replies
Victoria Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Lily Miller
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Julian Ward
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in West area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Jonathan A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Raleigh it's surprisingly good.
31 upvotes
Emma Cooper
following this thread
31 upvotes
Reagan Wright
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Quinn Castillo
This.
28 upvotes
Kennedy
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 dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Cameron
facts
26 upvotes
Allison H.
yep
25 upvotes
Nora Wilson
bump
17 upvotes
Lillian Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
legal is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches 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 solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Parker Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Wyatt Gonzalez
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Stella Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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
Jonathan Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Mason
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Arianna Campbell
preach
10 upvotes
Mark C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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