Hey everyone, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $218,000 on average. Median household income is $60,750, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 2,210, Indian River is a small town. You can expect to pay around $844 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. TIA! The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Claire W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Greenfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
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. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
40 upvotes
Elijah Kelly
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Wesley M.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Addison Hughes
not my experience at all
37 upvotes
Genesis W.
I'm a electrician and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Olivia King
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Hudson H.
literally same
29 upvotes
Joseph C.
Saving this thread
29 upvotes
Zoe S.
Came here for retirement and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
mesalocal2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Hunter Roberts
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
Leah Morris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Nova Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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