Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Quinn R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
sarah_life
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 45, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. tough 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 pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
35 upvotes
xavier_kid
bump
33 upvotes
Michael Parker
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Jace Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
25 upvotes
Jack Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Midtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
23 upvotes
vegasdude2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
23 upvotes
Hailey Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Aurora W.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Charles R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
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