The median home value here is around $314,200, which seems about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What are your go-to spots?
4 upvotes
26 Replies
Jackson Miller
100%
40 upvotes
Alice P.
I'm a writer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
ezra_dude
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Victoria Lopez
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Natalie Walker
100%
33 upvotes
oakland_kayden
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Jordan Smith
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
dallas_eliana
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Raleigh it's solid.
31 upvotes
Ryan Davis
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Caleb Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
mesafan2020
seconding this
23 upvotes
tampagirl2020
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Theodore C.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
charlottevibes2024
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
desert_alexa63
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
15 upvotes
Henry James
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
Kayla W.
spot on
9 upvotes
Zoey G.
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
Camila
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Isabelle Sanchez
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Patrick R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Jaxon Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. excellent 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 San Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
2 upvotes
Dominic Reed
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Lori J.
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. pet-friendliness used to be much developing but now it's challenging.
2 upvotes
Owen K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes
Ian Ruiz
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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