Anyone else feel this way? Poverty rate is 10.2%, which is around average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes
21 Replies
Zoey Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Westside 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jonathan
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Everett
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Isaiah T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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 challenging. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Jack Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
sdpapa2022
This.
30 upvotes
Colton Ramirez
This.
30 upvotes
Evelyn Carter
Moved here from Tampa about 13 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Violet C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
29 upvotes
Lucas Rivera
I've lived in West for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Emilia J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
robert_girl
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Scarlett Long
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Ezra Ramirez
100%
24 upvotes
charlotte_bennett
seconding this
19 upvotes
phillymama2024
100%
19 upvotes
Emilia Rivera
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's improving.
18 upvotes
Piper C.
preach
16 upvotes
portlandlover2022
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Connor W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
I've lived in Greenfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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