Hey, I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I overthinking this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Melanie Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
40 upvotes
Julia B.
I'm a data analyst and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Eleanor Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Eliana
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Natalie
bump
31 upvotes
Lucy M.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Jayden Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
22 upvotes
Reagan Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Eastside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
20 upvotes
Nathan A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Wyatt C.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Xavier L.
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Jace Brown
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Ian Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Brielle R.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in North area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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