Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. With a population of 59,605, Youngstown is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
19 upvotes
30 Replies
Willow Hill
I work in construction here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is average. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Parker Stewart
I've lived in South for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Lillian Gonzalez
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
Amelia Williams
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
36 upvotes
Aurora Rogers
I've lived in Eastside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Nicholas
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Rodriguez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
cool_lily69
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Bobby J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
lake_katherine67
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Caroline
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Caleb R.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
emily_walker
accurate
19 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Claire Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Jones
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Charlotte it's pretty good.
14 upvotes
Skylar C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Dallas about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Genesis W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Aaron C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Janice A.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Piper Ward
I work in real estate here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Mia K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Stella Lopez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
6 upvotes
Lily P.
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Aaliyah Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Delilah Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much established but now it's improving.
2 upvotes
Abigail W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Midtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
2 upvotes
Sophia Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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