So, Homes are going for about $583,000 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 72,985 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Redlands sits at 357.2 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Grace Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 25, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Hunter Cook
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Carter L.
I've lived in The Heights for about 12 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. 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 job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Isabelle Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
35 upvotes
Christian D.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Pine Hills area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Jordan Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Audrey Hall
I've lived in Sunset for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Madison S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
David M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 28, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
25 upvotes
Camila
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Axel Ruiz
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Isabelle Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Atlanta about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Ethan Wright
I work in hospitality here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Isaac Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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