Hi all, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Hunter Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Ethan Walker
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
Jonathan Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Genesis B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Greyson Walker
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
jaxrider2024
Moved here from Boston about 8 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Nora
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
minneapolisnative2026
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
tulsawalker2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
raised_jeremiah43
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
retail is strong here. retail 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Riverside 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
raleigh_elijah
Used to live on the East side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
olivia_native
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Piper Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Henry B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Gary W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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