The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,485 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thanks in advance! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Natalie Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Daniel Reyes
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Avery Harris
literally same
30 upvotes
Lydia Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Carson Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
27 upvotes
Grayson
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
loving_zoe78
underrated comment
26 upvotes
Luke A.
seconding this
24 upvotes
Cora
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (East) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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
Gabriel Wilson
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Meadowbrook area are challenging. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Cynthia W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
jaxmama2024
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Chloe B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Noah Alvarez
following this thread
17 upvotes
Connor Chavez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Pamela H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
14 upvotes
Evan Allen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
avery_heart
100%
11 upvotes
jayden_rider
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Lucy Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Isabella C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
7 upvotes
atl_lillian
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Hudson Jimenez
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The public transit is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Lucas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
4 upvotes
Harper
Moved here last year, no regrets.
4 upvotes
Oliver Brown
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
2 upvotes
Chloe Rogers
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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