Random thought, Rent is about $1,877/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $429,900, which is pretty steep. It's a a mid-size city city with about 108K people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
45 upvotes
4 Replies
Sarah Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Sarah G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. government 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
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