OK so Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,307 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
9 Replies
Caleb Wilson
yeah no that's not right
30 upvotes
Jonathan L.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
nola_everly
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
zoe_dude
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Silas Nelson
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
8 upvotes
Natalie C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
bump
5 upvotes
Sharon M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
2 upvotes
Nevaeh
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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