Hey, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $54,293 in Hamilton. Poverty rate is 14.5%, which is around average. Rent is about $974/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Let me know your thoughts. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
27 Replies
Wyatt Rogers
spot on
36 upvotes
nashville_hunter
I've lived in Riverside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
James M.
bump
33 upvotes
Lucy M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
33 upvotes
Everett M.
bump
32 upvotes
Madelyn Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Wyatt Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
30 upvotes
Everly Alvarez
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Aubrey C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Easton Bennett
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
alice_mind
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Zoey G.
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Lily K.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The school system is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Allison Watson
I've lived in West for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Henry Campbell
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
wild_levi57
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Charlotte P.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Westside area are average. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
emilia_lover
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
12 upvotes
Dominic H.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
11 upvotes
Serenity
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
raised_christian21
I work in healthcare here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Naomi Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Gabriel Cook
Moved here from Denver about 7 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to nightlife but Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Gabriel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Autumn White
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Jose
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 4-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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