Hello, My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $2,193 for rent here. Rent is about $2,193/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $833,800, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
20 Replies
Stella R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. excellent 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
34 upvotes
Denise R.
spot on
33 upvotes
Lily Thompson
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Eva Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Wyatt
big facts right here
29 upvotes
Amelia Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Deborah J.
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Jaxon Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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
Cooper Price
+1
21 upvotes
Debra W.
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Allison S.
literally same
18 upvotes
Nicholas James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
17 upvotes
Emma Jimenez
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 New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Fairview schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Cameron Wright
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Benjamin F.
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Sarah R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Portland it's surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
Everly Gonzalez
this is the way
5 upvotes
Silas Castillo
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by job market. 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 weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Michael Reyes
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Elijah Murphy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's decent.
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