I'm a remote worker and Household incomes average around $63,177 in Montrose. Rent is about $1,117/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $359,000 on average. It's a a small town city with about 20,703 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Gloria H.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Anna Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Jonathan Carter
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Angel Price
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Riverside schools are challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
22 upvotes
Dominic C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Fairview) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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
Ezekiel G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are solid. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Eleanor Carter
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Lucy M.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
14 upvotes
bostongirl2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 50, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Oak Park and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
Oliver Watson
big facts right here
4 upvotes
Austin Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Nathan Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
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