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Lily W. living

The good and bad of living in Richardson

Rent is about $1,825/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,825 for rent here. With a population of 118K, Richardson is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $96,257 in Richardson. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.

Pros:
- Great weather
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- Chain restaurants dominate
It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes

6 Replies

Aubrey Williams
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Caroline A.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Ethan Gray
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Maya Cox
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
26 upvotes
cool_kinsley19
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Reagan Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Westside schools are improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
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