I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $1,675/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $84,570 in Lodi. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,946 people. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 14.3%, which is around average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Close to nature
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Not very walkable
- High property taxes
- Mosquitoes and humidity
Anyone in a similar situation? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
29 Replies
Eli N.
noted, appreciate it
35 upvotes
Violet G.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Vivian Morgan
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Gianna W.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Jackson Reyes
I'm a sales manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Jayden Peterson
following this thread
28 upvotes
Emmett Lopez
facts
27 upvotes
Teresa M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Kai Myers
following this thread
21 upvotes
Sebastian Reed
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
20 upvotes
Reagan Howard
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Denver it's average.
19 upvotes
Julian T.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Oak Park area are decent. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
peyton_life
Saving this thread
16 upvotes
Benjamin Cook
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
I've lived in Springfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Silas Ross
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Kevin M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Eva Lopez
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Claire K.
haha yep pretty much
8 upvotes
Reagan White
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Weston
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
living_carson34
it depends on the neighborhood
7 upvotes
James Ross
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 Houston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Riverside schools are solid. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
houstonlover2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are decent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
savannah_walker
great question, following
3 upvotes
born_zoe41
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Adam R.
big facts right here
1 upvotes
evelyn_papa
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Eastside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
0 upvotes
Willow Evans
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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