Hello, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $485,200, which is pretty steep. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? Thanks in advance! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Wyatt
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
Emily Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Clara
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Jameson Smith
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
20 upvotes
minneapolis_nevaeh
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Mackenzie Lopez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Landon M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Christian
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Lydia Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
great question, following
12 upvotes
Sarah R.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
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