First post here. We have two kids and Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $279,500, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $279,500 on average. Median household income is $87,437, which feels pretty solid for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Low crime in most areas
- Close to nature
- Low taxes
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
0 upvotes
29 Replies
Harper F.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Nora C.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Naomi Lopez
This.
38 upvotes
milwaukee_nevaeh
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Brielle Reyes
following this thread
34 upvotes
Maya
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
32 upvotes
Nora Patel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is solid in most areas.
30 upvotes
Leonardo W.
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Janet C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are surprisingly 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Aria Campbell
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Rylee James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Cooper Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Madeline Bennett
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Scarlett Allen
bump
20 upvotes
Natalie Jimenez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Dominic Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
18 upvotes
Laura H.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Zachary R.
accurate
16 upvotes
Axel Harris
great question, following
15 upvotes
Ariana Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Westside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Henry J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Nolan Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Adam Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Mackenzie F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Uptown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
7 upvotes
Luca Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Atlanta it's pretty good.
6 upvotes
Eugene S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
6 upvotes
Jacob
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Salt Lake City it's challenging.
5 upvotes
avery_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
All Countries
