Not sure if this has been asked before, but My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Ridgway sits at 295.6 per 100K. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thanks in advance! The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Sarah Morales
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Robert C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Jace Smith
100%
30 upvotes
Emily Rivera
yep
29 upvotes
Arianna F.
lol so true
29 upvotes
wild_vivian38
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
22 upvotes
Maverick
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Maverick Scott
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in West area are solid. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Daniel Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Ian H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Benjamin B.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
8 upvotes
gabriella_lover
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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