Hey everyone, We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $218,300 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Samuel Lewis
I'm a project manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Willow Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 52, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
38 upvotes
Serenity J.
big facts right here
34 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Westside schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Naomi Morgan
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
James J.
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Isabella Long
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
native_evan65
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Josiah P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Violet Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 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:**
education is strong here. marketing 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Thomas Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Leah Lee
This.
16 upvotes
Logan Ramos
I'm a teacher and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Ezra
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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