So, Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
portlandlife2020
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Maya Scott
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Ryan Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Stella T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
29 upvotes
Nevaeh Cook
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Midtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Robert Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 36, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Skylar Davis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Diego it's underrated.
9 upvotes
Gerald C.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Lillian Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are challenging. 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 shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.