Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a a smaller city city with about 39,746 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
14 Replies
Cooper Price
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Jonathan Peterson
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
37 upvotes
Autumn Brown
Came here for work and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Cooper Reyes
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Jayden
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 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 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Savannah Clark
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Bennett
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Gabriel R.
Moved here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to healthcare but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Chloe Sanders
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Riley Davis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
18 upvotes
jaxrider2024
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Julia B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
boston_noah
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Amelia Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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