Hi all, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $1,938/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Allison
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Joseph Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Zoe Cook
great question, following
31 upvotes
Zoey Howard
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
31 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Wyatt Young
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
24 upvotes
Eleanor Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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
Diane M.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Alexander Wilson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Katherine Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Luna R.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
Madelyn Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Jaxon T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
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