Random thought, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 14,718, Hickory Hills is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -Hickory Hills sits at 152.1 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I wrong here? TIA! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
cincy_nicholas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails 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 solid. 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 job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jace Stewart
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Emmett B.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Springfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Ruby D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 40, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
30 upvotes
Leonardo Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. South schools are average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
seattlemama2022
yep
23 upvotes
Jose Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Cedar Grove schools are solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Santiago C.
Moved here from New York about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Kai Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
20 upvotes
Zoe Sanchez
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mexican places. it exceeded my expectations.
15 upvotes
Eliana W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Joseph King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Cora Sanders
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Declan Brown
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is average. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
mia_local
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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