Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $107,600, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $107,600 on average. Rent is about $805/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Would love some local perspective. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
21 Replies
Nora Chavez
100%
39 upvotes
Roman White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
grayson_dude
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Luke Alvarez
Moved here from Tampa about 11 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to walkability but Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
lake_leah57
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Rylee Wright
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
charlotte_jack
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
25 upvotes
Wesley Evans
facts
24 upvotes
Miles Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 25, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
Sebastian Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. West schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Jayden
it depends on the neighborhood
19 upvotes
Eva Wright
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's better than expected.
17 upvotes
Lisa S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park 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..
15 upvotes
elena_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Addison Parker
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
David M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Declan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
4 upvotes
Josiah Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
3 upvotes
Mackenzie Collins
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 Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 hit or miss. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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