Hi all, I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider -Schertz sits at 184.2 per 100K. Median household income is $96,633, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,593/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
23 upvotes
15 Replies
Leonardo Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Michael
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Ruby G.
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Sebastian Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 12 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are tough. 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Ezra Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government 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 surprisingly good - 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. South schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Xavier Smith
This.
33 upvotes
Joseph Gomez
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Clara T.
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Camila G.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Michael E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Connor Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Kaylee R.
I've lived in Fairview for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by healthcare. 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 cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Wyatt Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Kai Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Wyatt Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.