Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and The median home value here is around $134,600, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $134,600 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Kingsville sits at 511.8 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cheers. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Genesis Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. South 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Colton Peterson
preach
34 upvotes
Michael Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Alexa Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
27 upvotes
hudson_runner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Aurora
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Logan Brooks
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Samantha B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 8 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Brielle Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Linda L.
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Cooper
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
emmett_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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