First post here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 408K people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Waylon Price
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Jameson Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Allison A.
+1
35 upvotes
Clara R.
seconding this
32 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Greyson
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Abigail Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains 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 public transit options. Property taxes are high. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Ava G.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
rylee_mama
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Rylee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Oak Park and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Nolan Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
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