There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
eleanor_runner
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
true_grace48
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Zoey Jackson
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Joshua Ward
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Ella Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Westside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Logan Mitchell
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
elijah_walker
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Bella W.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Cedar Grove area are underrated. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Leah A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Eliana White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Natalie Cook
Moved here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Hazel Miller
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Skylar H.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Charlotte W.
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
Nicholas Parker
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
16 upvotes
Jordan K.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Bella Adams
I've lived in North for about 5 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 Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Harper Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Riverside schools are pretty good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Brooklyn Castillo
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
13 upvotes
Evan Robinson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Melanie Rivera
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
10 upvotes
Amber R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's excellent.
7 upvotes
Lydia Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.