Hey everyone, I'm originally from Seattle and The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 10,730, Placerville is a small town. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Gabriel K.
great question, following
40 upvotes
portland_cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Westside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
Serenity
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
36 upvotes
Xavier Williams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Santiago Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
28 upvotes
Santiago Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Josiah Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Hailey Hill
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
23 upvotes
Victoria Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
retail 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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 surprisingly good. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
oaklandkid2024
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Aiden Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing 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 improving - 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. Old Town schools are tough. 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. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Zachary E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Hailey E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
5 upvotes
Eleanor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
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