Alright, The median home value here is around $899,000, which is pretty steep. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts.
12 upvotes
28 Replies
Hannah Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Bella Smith
spot on
38 upvotes
Hunter Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Lydia Howard
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
38 upvotes
Roman Ward
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
William Kim
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
36 upvotes
Jerry A.
+1
35 upvotes
Willow Castillo
I'm a writer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
la_lillian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Waylon
I work in manufacturing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Savannah Murphy
yeah no that's not right
26 upvotes
Delilah Morgan
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Clara Anderson
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Elizabeth Alvarez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
23 upvotes
Mateo Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
23 upvotes
Katherine J.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
22 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Debra M.
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Brooklyn Taylor
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Fairview area are excellent. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Isaiah C.
I work in hospitality here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Axel M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
6 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
3 upvotes
Luna Cox
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
2 upvotes
Mia G.
couldn't agree more
2 upvotes
vegas_aurora
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Audrey Evans
Moved here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
Sean T.
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
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