I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $493,800, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $493,800 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 68,161 people. Crime rate is something to consider -South Hill sits at 279.4 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
27 upvotes
24 Replies
Weston
I'm a contractor and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Nevaeh
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
35 upvotes
Landon
yep
33 upvotes
Jose
great question, following
33 upvotes
Evan Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Riverside schools are underrated. 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 public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
27 upvotes
David Young
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
27 upvotes
Andrew P.
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Isla Phillips
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
Moved here from Minneapolis about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Mia Gomez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
23 upvotes
Jacob Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
21 upvotes
cincy_delilah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
15 upvotes
Sophia M.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Jameson Allen
Bought a house here in 2022 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Nicholas A.
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Chloe Jones
seconding this
11 upvotes
Catherine E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
11 upvotes
Mia G.
following this thread
9 upvotes
Kennedy Jackson
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
5 upvotes
Alice J.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
5 upvotes
Benjamin G.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
2 upvotes
Genesis Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Brooks Ruiz
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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