Not sure if this has been asked before, but You can expect to pay around $1,825 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? Thanks in advance! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
36 upvotes
30 Replies
Axel Cook
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Weston White
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
proud_benjamin31
preach
36 upvotes
Santiago Lopez
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in South area are decent. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Violet Miller
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Miami it's average.
28 upvotes
Joseph Ward
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Heather H.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Vietnamese places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
25 upvotes
Daniel Taylor
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great sushi places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
23 upvotes
Aaron Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Sophie R.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Emilia Kelly
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
20 upvotes
Levi Evans
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to community vibe but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Sadie Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
19 upvotes
Silas Cook
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Michael E.
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. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Richard M.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in West area are excellent. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Virginia M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Liam P.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Southern places. it's been a really good experience overall.
16 upvotes
Natalie
I've lived in Downtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Isla Bennett
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
15 upvotes
Elizabeth Cooper
big facts right here
14 upvotes
Jaxon
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches 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 average. 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 high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Nevaeh Stewart
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 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 Denver, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Cameron Martin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Wesley
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Austin Ramos
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Portland, 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 nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Hudson Wilson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Tampa it's challenging.
6 upvotes
Sebastian
Moved here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Lillian Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
5 upvotes
Silas Bailey
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
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