Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $91,669, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $233,400 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Watauga sits at 158.0 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
5 Replies
Natalie
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Hunter Morgan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Connor Foster
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Arianna W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Nicholas
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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