First post here. Just moved here 17 months ago and Does this match your experience?
6 upvotes
30 Replies
Amelia Smith
I've lived in Midtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Ian Baker
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
37 upvotes
Tyler W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
36 upvotes
Isabelle S.
great question, following
35 upvotes
Nathan M.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
33 upvotes
Ellie Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Mary W.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Teresa J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 10 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
government is strong here. real estate 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:**
I love the pace of life here. 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. Riverside schools are decent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Moore
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Asian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Zoey Hill
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Avery Jimenez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Nova James
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
John Bailey
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Daniel Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Everly Hernandez
This.
21 upvotes
mason_kid
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
20 upvotes
Jace Cook
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Melanie L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Samuel Castillo
preach
14 upvotes
Justin S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
14 upvotes
Clara Foster
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
12 upvotes
Addison Richardson
facts
11 upvotes
Levi Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
9 upvotes
Ruby Adams
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Vivian B.
This.
7 upvotes
Isla
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Gabriella Perez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is challenging in most areas.
3 upvotes
Carson Campbell
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Kinsley R.
been saying this for years
1 upvotes
Thomas Ward
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..