Hello, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective.
15 upvotes
5 Replies
Robert R.
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Aiden M.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
33 upvotes
Allison Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Kai
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
finance is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Ryan King
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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