Just moved here 12 months ago and The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
24 Replies
Zoey
lol so true
40 upvotes
Brooklyn Hughes
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
nolan_soul
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Angel Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's average.
36 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Anna Walker
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
tucson_allison
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
native_luna90
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Owen T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Riley Miller
Moved here from Austin about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Naomi Moore
I work in real estate here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is pretty good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Gabriel Hill
Moved here last year, no regrets.
25 upvotes
Lily Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Gianna Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Benjamin Reyes
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Michael Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Andrew
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Axel Martin
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Kayden
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
12 upvotes
Brielle Wright
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Ralph K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Angel A.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's underrated.
7 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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