Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Aaron J.
exactly what I was thinking
36 upvotes
tulsalover2022
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Skylar Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jayden Taylor
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
24 upvotes
luca_heart
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
orlando_angel
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Kayla O.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
20 upvotes
Aaliyah Turner
Moved here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Olivia Edwards
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Miami it's surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
chicago_melanie
I'm a accountant and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Isabella
I work in engineering here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Sarah Robinson
great question, following
5 upvotes
Paisley R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Highland schools are hit or miss. 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 public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Carter Evans
Totally agree!
2 upvotes
Savannah Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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