Hey, With a population of 8,735, Rodeo is a small town. Household incomes average around $88,819 in Rodeo. You can expect to pay around $2,143 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 8,735 people. Rent is about $2,143/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Good schools
- Low taxes
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Not very walkable
- Poor road conditions
Is this normal for Rodeo? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Violet Torres
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
39 upvotes
Claire Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Emily Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Sofia Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Charlotte, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
37 upvotes
Isabella C.
spot on
25 upvotes
Brooks Rogers
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Paisley Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (North) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
22 upvotes
Matthew Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Diego it's challenging.
20 upvotes
Weston C.
facts
14 upvotes
Ezra Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
lake_kai67
this is the way
10 upvotes
Audrey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Uptown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
6 upvotes
Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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