Not sure if this has been asked before, but Average temperature is around 75--F, so it's warm year-round. Household incomes average around $96,282 in Richmond West. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!
29 upvotes
23 Replies
charlotte_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
austinmama2021
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's tough.
39 upvotes
Gabriel L.
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
I'm a project manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Lillian
I've lived in Uptown for about 14 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 Boston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Nora Ross
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Isabella Collins
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
33 upvotes
Sophia Peterson
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Leah Bennett
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Cameron H.
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Madelyn Jimenez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Jose Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Old Town 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Adrian
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
Ruby Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
20 upvotes
Reagan M.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Riverside area are tough. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Sadie Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
12 upvotes
Aurora Ross
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Springfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Axel Lee
following this thread
5 upvotes
Maya
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Violet Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Theodore W.
bump
2 upvotes
Connor H.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
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