Alright, I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $641,500 on average. Rent is about $2,208/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 91,775 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
30 upvotes
11 Replies
Everett P.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
39 upvotes
Alexa P.
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
cincy_logan
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
31 upvotes
Alexander Lee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Leo Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
29 upvotes
William
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Alexa Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from LA for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
sacramentosoul2021
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Colton Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Deborah J.
I've lived in West for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
0 upvotes
Camila S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
All Countries
