It's a a smaller city city with about 90,874 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Waylon Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
38 upvotes
Lucas Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
mesadude2020
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Josiah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails 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 underrated. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
John Morris
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
33 upvotes
Cora H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Adam Rogers
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Eva Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. North schools are pretty 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
oaklanddude2025
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Camila Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Owen Cook
this is the way
13 upvotes
real_vivian26
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
12 upvotes
Paisley G.
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The traffic is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Nevaeh
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
All Countries
