Hi all, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $2,110 for rent here. With a population of 27,807, Shirley is a smaller city. Median household income is $105,379, which feels pretty solid for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to.
29 upvotes
15 Replies
Gloria C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Kai Reyes
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Downtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
proud_jace35
following this thread
30 upvotes
Madelyn Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Brooks Edwards
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
James Rogers
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Bella Long
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Noah Price
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
18 upvotes
Caleb W.
bump
17 upvotes
Nathan A.
I'm a electrician and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
silas_life
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
James Martinez
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Caleb S.
I'm a writer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Lucas
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are tough. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Grace K.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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