Been meaning to ask this. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
35 upvotes
15 Replies
Judy K.
following this thread
34 upvotes
Sebastian Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Harper Reed
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The food scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Eva Gomez
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Aiden A.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
it depends on the neighborhood
19 upvotes
Ryan Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 10 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
17 upvotes
Adrian R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Adam Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
15 upvotes
Kayla O.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Silas Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Stella White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
boston_landon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. challenging 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
4 upvotes
Aiden A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Oliver Richardson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Eastside area are tough. Kids love it here.
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