I'm single, late 50s, and Homes are going for about $435,700 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Shelton sits at 53.3 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
4 upvotes
21 Replies
Judith J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
40 upvotes
Rebecca M.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
Stella Garcia
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Gabriel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Christian Taylor
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Evan Martin
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is average in most areas.
32 upvotes
Joseph Price
I'm a sales manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Aria Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 33, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
27 upvotes
Anna Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 3 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Hannah Wilson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Victoria Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
John Harris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
20 upvotes
Melanie Ruiz
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Chloe Alvarez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
17 upvotes
Noah H.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Nolan Moore
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Lucas
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
15 upvotes
Mateo Adams
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Vivian Ward
I work in tech here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
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