Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Lowell sits at 363.5 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
41 upvotes
15 Replies
Dylan Ortiz
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
William
100%
38 upvotes
Robert Perez
Moved here from Denver about 12 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Skylar Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Lillian Lewis
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Lydia Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Claire King
100%
30 upvotes
Sadie
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Paisley
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Angel Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
local_connor51
preach
16 upvotes
Leo White
lol so true
14 upvotes
Alexa
+1
11 upvotes
cool_kennedy77
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Matthew
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are underrated. 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 safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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