Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $893,400, which is pretty steep. It's a a small town city with about 10,272 people. Median household income is $156,786, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Alpine sits at 42.5 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
7 upvotes
8 Replies
Adam C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
38 upvotes
Liam Alvarez
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 Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Nathan White
facts
30 upvotes
Grace Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Colton
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Claire Carter
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
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