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Pamela E.
jobs
Starting a business in Madison?
Hey, Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Natalie Hughes
bump
38 upvotes
Evan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Skylar R.
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 Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Judy A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Aurora Green
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Hannah G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Natalie Hill
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Mackenzie B.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
16 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Kayden
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great craft beer places. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
Ezra
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The food scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Naomi
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Eli Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Salt Lake City it's solid.
6 upvotes