I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Joseph Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Emily
+1
35 upvotes
Violet Kelly
been saying this for years
30 upvotes
Cora Rivera
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Isaac Rivera
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Benjamin Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Roman G.
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. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Everett Bennett
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Bobby T.
preach
9 upvotes
Aaron R.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Quinn Kim
I'm a teacher and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
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