So, We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $1,304,900, which is pretty steep. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Worth the trade-offs? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
11 upvotes
23 Replies
Carolyn C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 58, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Denver, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Bobby J.
yep
40 upvotes
Alexis D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
38 upvotes
Scott F.
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Owen Richardson
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Emma Roberts
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Ariana Roberts
preach
31 upvotes
Mason C.
this is the way
31 upvotes
Ella
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
tucson_scarlett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Cora H.
This.
24 upvotes
Liam Morgan
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Camila Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Anna E.
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Skylar Morgan
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Nathan Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Old Town schools are improving. 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 public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Roman R.
lol so true
19 upvotes
Violet Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Sofia M.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Adrian Turner
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Thomas Hernandez
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Ann C.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Sebastian
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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