Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $957,500 on average. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
9 upvotes
26 Replies
Zachary R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Alexander Myers
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Henry Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Vivian
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Claire Campbell
I'm a accountant and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Olivia Lewis
not my experience at all
30 upvotes
Connor R.
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
minneapolis_nevaeh
bump
25 upvotes
Sadie W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
24 upvotes
Charlotte W.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
22 upvotes
Christian Gonzalez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Owen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Claire Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Hudson J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 6 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Eastside 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Caroline E.
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Asher Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore 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 stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Ruby Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Jace Hughes
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Karen M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Jaxon Rogers
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Ian Ward
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Midtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Paul W.
I've lived in Downtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Michael T.
preach
3 upvotes
Ethan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 3 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited entertainment options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Stella Lee
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Serenity S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 15 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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