I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $71,829, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 39,174, Parkland is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,593/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $382,700 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Elijah Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
38 upvotes
Joseph Taylor
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Miami it's challenging.
32 upvotes
roman_living
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Dallas about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Amelia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. Riverside 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Allison Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is tough in most areas.
24 upvotes
Kai Ramos
exactly what I was thinking
22 upvotes
Zachary E.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
22 upvotes
Ryan
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
raleigh_ella
following this thread
16 upvotes
Sarah Ortiz
yep
14 upvotes
Maverick Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Downtown schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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