Random thought, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $365,800 on average. Rent is about $2,038/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Victoria Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Olivia G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Daniel Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
quinn_life
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Caroline Stewart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Ezra C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
29 upvotes
Abigail H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
James Collins
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Joshua Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
17 upvotes
Nora W.
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 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 Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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