Hey everyone, Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $811,000, which is pretty steep. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
15 upvotes
22 Replies
Silas Stewart
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
bump
39 upvotes
Gianna Martin
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
Eliana W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Adam Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Allison Lopez
This.
29 upvotes
Hudson Lee
facts
28 upvotes
Benjamin Gutierrez
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Adrian Wright
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
26 upvotes
Claire Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 46, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
26 upvotes
Quinn Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Ezekiel
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
portland_joseph
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
wild_hannah88
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Zoe Rodriguez
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 9 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Charles H.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
Joshua
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
13 upvotes
Sophia W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 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 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Gabriel
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Xavier T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Westside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
9 upvotes
Noah Stewart
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 Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Riverside 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
5 upvotes
Aaliyah Hall
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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