OK so My partner and I are Homes are going for about $314,600 on average. You can expect to pay around $917 for rent here. With a population of 4,153, Riverside is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Cheers. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Katherine Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Leonardo
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
36 upvotes
Camila Jimenez
great question, following
35 upvotes
Aiden Flores
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Olivia K.
I work in construction here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Roman Kelly
I've lived in Highland for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Daniel Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
sacramentomind2020
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Elena Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 53, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
18 upvotes
Sophie Moore
Moved here from Portland about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Susan J.
bump
16 upvotes
Jordan Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Tampa it's surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
Adrian Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Noah Campbell
accurate
7 upvotes
Harper
I've lived in Sunset for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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