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Arianna Robinson
qa
Portage in the winter -how bad?
Been living here since 2013. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Robert Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
atlheart2021
literally same
38 upvotes
Joshua W.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
28 upvotes
Aiden E.
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 San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Lillian Wilson
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Hunter Walker
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Jaxon Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas 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 Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Robert Taylor
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Hudson Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Benjamin Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
8 upvotes
Eli Rivera
yep
6 upvotes
Mary W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes