Curious what people think. I'm a 35-year-old electrician and Poverty rate is 6.4%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
22 upvotes
21 Replies
Thomas Jimenez
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
bump
37 upvotes
Isaiah Lee
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Jayden
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
36 upvotes
Hailey Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Noah Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Ezra Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Leonardo W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 14 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Nova Davis
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Audrey N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Nevaeh
bump
16 upvotes
Jayden Ruiz
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The dating scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Naomi Morris
Used to live on the South side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
11 upvotes
Alice H.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Alexis N.
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Axel Kim
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Julie R.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Old Town area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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