Longtime lurker here, It's a a small town city with about 5,104 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Monee sits at 78.2 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
omahamind2020
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Logan
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Nicole R.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Luna Watson
I'm a electrician and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is average and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Greyson J.
I've lived in Highland for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Hailey Nguyen
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Landon Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
Evan Brown
literally same
22 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
Moved here from LA about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to walkability but Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
James C.
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 Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. 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 reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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 better than expected. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Isaiah Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Xavier Young
literally same
6 upvotes
Ian King
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
5 upvotes
Ethan Garcia
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's average.
4 upvotes
Eleanor Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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