Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? Thanks in advance! There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
24 Replies
Evan K.
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Ian M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Anna Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
kayden_native
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Luna W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Elena Brooks
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
Madeline Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. North schools are solid. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Anna Gutierrez
facts
25 upvotes
Bella Flores
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Easton M.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Willow Morris
seconding this
21 upvotes
Nathan B.
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Riley Kim
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's improving.
19 upvotes
Vivian C.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Nathan Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Valentina Morris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
16 upvotes
Ethan Smith
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 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 Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
lol so true
13 upvotes
Ian S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 8 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 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. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Eli Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Amber H.
preach
9 upvotes
Jeremiah Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 42, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
6 upvotes
Alice M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Maverick Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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