Random thought, I've been here for 17 years and It's a a smaller city city with about 61,914 people. Homes are going for about $110,600 on average. Rent is about $1,007/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
18 Replies
Axel Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Patricia T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. tough 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
37 upvotes
Madeline Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Grace C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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:**
marketing is strong here. finance 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Eleanor Gray
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Autumn Wright
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Theodore Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Cedar Grove 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Brenda H.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 6 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 San Francisco, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Kennedy Harris
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
houston_joseph
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Jonathan B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Nora K.
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
chill_daniel43
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Eleanor Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
6 upvotes
Ellie Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Ethan Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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