Been meaning to ask this. Median household income is $127,106, which feels pretty solid for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
22 upvotes
13 Replies
Vivian Walker
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Ava Walker
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Angel L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
William Cox
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 Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts 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 better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Sophie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Stella Howard
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Sadie T.
seconding this
16 upvotes
Benjamin Cooper
literally same
10 upvotes
Genesis Turner
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Linda J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
8 upvotes
Greyson Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
William M.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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