Considering Scottdale vs Baltimore -help me decide
Hello, Just moved here 11 months ago and The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. Rent is about $1,460/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
6 Replies
Easton
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 47, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
39 upvotes
Noah Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
26 upvotes
Theodore Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Isaac
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
wesley_life
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Alexa Cooper
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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