It's a a smaller city city with about 27,710 people. Rent is about $1,729/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any help is appreciated. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
14 upvotes
9 Replies
Miles L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Lillian Gonzalez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
33 upvotes
John Garcia
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Nevaeh Perez
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Ezra Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
lake_kai53
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Nathan B.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Rylee Morales
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. East schools are solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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