Random thought, Household incomes average around $73,588 in Hollins. Median household income is $73,588, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $227,900 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Ian King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
39 upvotes
Larry J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 44, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
39 upvotes
Randy R.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
34 upvotes
Isla
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Lucas Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
22 upvotes
Serenity Moore
This.
22 upvotes
Dylan Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Joseph Garcia
preach
20 upvotes
mason_kid
yeah no that's not right
17 upvotes
Madeline Cruz
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Arianna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering 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 average - 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. Riverside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Addison Flores
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Claire Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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