Been living here since 2014. The unemployment rate is 0.4%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $250,001, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $250,001 in Greens Farms. You can expect to pay around $3,501 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Susan E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
37 upvotes
Bradley H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ryan C.
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Isaac Murphy
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Quinn Miller
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
26 upvotes
Kelly M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Melanie
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
14 upvotes
Lily Harris
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Lily Cox
it depends on the neighborhood
6 upvotes
Ezra Robinson
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Waylon G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 10 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
retail is strong here. consulting 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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