Hi all, The median home value here is around $568,000, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $82,806, which feels pretty solid for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Is this normal for Ontario? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
36 upvotes
29 Replies
Miles L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Ethan King
Moved here from Chicago about 2 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Valentina Clark
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Colton Carter
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 32, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
32 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Tampa for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Aaron Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
31 upvotes
William A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Piper T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
30 upvotes
Mason Rogers
I work in education here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Miles Cooper
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
27 upvotes
Reagan
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Audrey Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
sacramento_ezekiel
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Ann G.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
17 upvotes
Jose Patel
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Savannah Kim
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Owen Hernandez
Moved here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to public transit but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Gianna Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Elijah Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from San Francisco for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Aaliyah
same here
8 upvotes
Avery Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. South schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Liam Martin
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 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 Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Kathryn L.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Bella Hall
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Kai Wood
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Maverick White
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
4 upvotes
miami_ryan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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