Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $86,478, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 23,155, Oakdale is a small town. Rent is about $1,471/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $432,800 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Appreciate any input. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Avery Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Kenneth P.
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 13 years. Moved from San Diego 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Addison B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Aria Carter
seconding this
29 upvotes
Logan Flores
Used to live on the East side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
28 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
25 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Autumn W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Camila Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Alexa
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Asian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Julia Campbell
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 Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Riverside schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Aria Murphy
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Aria
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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