Random thought, I'm originally from Boston and Homes are going for about $771,900 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 83,052 people. The weather takes some getting used to. What are your go-to spots? Any help is appreciated. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
portland_caroline
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Valentina Carter
preach
25 upvotes
Jordan Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking 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 tough. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
tampagirl2023
literally same
17 upvotes
Cora Long
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Piper Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Nova Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
milwaukee_everly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Kennedy Alvarez
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Ava Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
4 upvotes
Amelia P.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much established but now it's decent.
4 upvotes
oaklanddude2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 27, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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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