Curious what people think. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Does this match your experience? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Roman Wood
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Ellie O.
haha yep pretty much
26 upvotes
Kennedy Cruz
I work in engineering here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Eliana Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Roman Rodriguez
exactly what I was thinking
22 upvotes
Nicholas G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Quinn Evans
great question, following
17 upvotes
Sarah Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks 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 pretty good. 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. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Oliver Stewart
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
Kaylee Martinez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Maple Ridge area are tough. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Theodore Morales
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Greyson Scott
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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