La Riviera quality of life -am I missing something?
My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -La Riviera sits at 614.8 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 11,503 people. Homes are going for about $433,400 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned? The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Nicholas Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Willow Phillips
+1
36 upvotes
William Foster
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
29 upvotes
Julian Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Greyson Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
18 upvotes
William Alvarez
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
kc_isabelle
I've lived in Springfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
stlpapa2020
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
evan_walker
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
mesaguy2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Phoenix it's improving.
7 upvotes
Axel Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Miami it's excellent.
6 upvotes
Adrian Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Emma G.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Allison King
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Declan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.