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Sophia E.
housing
Cost of living reality check -Sunnyside
Hello, The suburbs are where most families end up. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Luca Martin
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Kennedy Allen
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
38 upvotes
Jack Foster
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Hailey S.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Elena Nguyen
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Maverick P.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
30 upvotes
Isaac J.
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Christopher H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Scarlett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
16 upvotes
Isabella Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 12 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 12 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Piper Gomez
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Genesis Bennett
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Camila C.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
1 upvotes
Bella Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes