Longtime lurker here, My partner and I are The median home value here is around $346,400, which seems about average. You can expect to pay around $1,256 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any help is appreciated.
5 upvotes
6 Replies
Emilia H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
37 upvotes
Cooper Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Matthew Clark
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Janet R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
7 upvotes
Eli Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers 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 underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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