Been meaning to ask this. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What are your go-to spots?
18 upvotes
29 Replies
Kayden Bennett
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Thomas M.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
36 upvotes
Betty R.
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
lol so true
34 upvotes
Hannah Harris
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Silas W.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The food scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Ellie Cook
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
32 upvotes
phillysoul2022
I'm a writer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
30 upvotes
Carter
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Hazel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Camila Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
27 upvotes
Avery S.
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Luna Robinson
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Isabella
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Leah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Samuel N.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
18 upvotes
dc_ava
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Mackenzie Kim
I've lived in Riverside for about 3 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
desert_maverick72
yep
11 upvotes
Isabella K.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
David M.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Matthew M.
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Brooks Diaz
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Wesley N.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Christian Baker
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
1 upvotes
Grace Evans
I've lived in Sunset for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Everly Miller
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Andrew
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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