What I wish I knew before living in South Oroville
First post here. It's a a small town city with about 2,811 people. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Christian S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Portland it's solid.
37 upvotes
Olivia Thompson
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
columbus_allison
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Denver it's improving.
31 upvotes
Harper F.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Jayden Jones
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Reagan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Parker Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Carson Gomez
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
8 upvotes
Mason Mendoza
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Patricia F.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Easton T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. tough 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
0 upvotes
Charlotte M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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