Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 8 years and It's a a small town city with about 16,724 people. You can expect to pay around $1,999 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Would love some local perspective.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Alice
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in North area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Serenity Foster
Moved here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
seattle_aria
it depends on the neighborhood
28 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
urban_caroline83
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Riverside 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Adam Scott
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's better than expected.
22 upvotes
Hudson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
21 upvotes
Genesis Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
Hannah Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Camila Long
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Aaliyah Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Emmett C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
1 upvotes
Mia Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Maple Ridge 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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