We're a young couple and It's a a mid-size city city with about 126K people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
57 upvotes
12 Replies
Carol A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Savannah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Greyson
I'm a teacher and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Isabelle Chavez
Used to live on the South side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Parker
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Rylee Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 57, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
22 upvotes
Theodore Castillo
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Ian Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Emmett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Stella W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Matthew
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 13 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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