Hey, Been living here since 2009. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,798/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
17 upvotes
18 Replies
proud_piper96
big facts right here
39 upvotes
dallasguy2020
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Olivia Peterson
This.
38 upvotes
John
this is the way
35 upvotes
Jaxon Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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. Pine Hills schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Sophie
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - 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. The Heights schools are average. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Leo K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches 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 average. 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. Property taxes are high. And safety 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.
22 upvotes
Willow Ramos
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Christian Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Caroline
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
lol so true
11 upvotes
Bella
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Charlotte it's surprisingly good.
5 upvotes
Willow M.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
5 upvotes
Robert Ramirez
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Ezra Nguyen
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
3 upvotes
Jameson Cooper
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Landon Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 46, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
1 upvotes
Gabriel Taylor
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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