OK so Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,442 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
1 upvotes
20 Replies
Adeline Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. 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. Old Town 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Piper Lewis
underrated comment
37 upvotes
Audrey B.
literally same
34 upvotes
Sara J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Aaliyah Lewis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Matthew
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Emma M.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Logan Ramirez
preach
23 upvotes
Lucas Rivera
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Miles O.
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 average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
21 upvotes
Evan Rivera
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Nora Murphy
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Mackenzie C.
glad someone said it
15 upvotes
Easton M.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
real_isaac91
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
11 upvotes
Joseph Stewart
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Doris F.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
8 upvotes
Dylan Brown
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Maple Ridge area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Silas Scott
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
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