First post here. I'm single, late 50s, and The median home value here is around $158,100, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 23.2%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $41,775 in Lexington. You can expect to pay around $882 for rent here. With a population of 19,691, Lexington is a small town. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Growing food scene
- Diverse community
- Low taxes
Cons:
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Elena R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
36 upvotes
Wesley T.
interesting, hadn't considered that
36 upvotes
Maverick Phillips
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 San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
34 upvotes
Oliver Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Madelyn Long
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Maya R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
phoenix_ruby
lol so true
12 upvotes
Nora Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Connor D.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Rylee G.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes
Mia Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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