Curious what people think. Military spouse here. Rent is about $2,250/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $1,073,500, which is pretty steep. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience?
11 upvotes
20 Replies
George K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
Christian C.
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Brooks Moore
100%
35 upvotes
Chloe Alvarez
hmm interesting perspective
34 upvotes
Sadie R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
Moved here from Seattle about 14 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
27 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Leo Miller
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Gregory M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
26 upvotes
Kinsley L.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Adrian P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Abigail White
Moved here last year, no regrets.
17 upvotes
Harper Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Josiah M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
government is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 solid. 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 high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Delilah Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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