Random thought, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Arcadia sits at 142.6 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,550 people. Median household income is $116,142, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $2,118/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Diverse community
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Rising rent prices
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
- Homelessness issues downtown
The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
25 upvotes
26 Replies
Elizabeth King
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
dallasfan2023
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Josiah Nguyen
yep
37 upvotes
sd_leo
Used to live on the East side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Jameson T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate 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 hit or miss - 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 challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Sadie Miller
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Henry Nguyen
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Silas Parker
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Aaron C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Silas Sanchez
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Henry L.
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Mark A.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Bella Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Jack F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Jackson E.
accurate
20 upvotes
Andrew Smith
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Connor Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to LA it's challenging.
19 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Kaylee Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
William Adams
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
nyc_sebastian
lol so true
15 upvotes
Chloe Sanders
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Arianna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Amelia Nelson
accurate
8 upvotes
Connor Young
+1
6 upvotes
local_samuel94
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
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