Curious what people think. We have two kids and Rent is about $996/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $996 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
20 upvotes
9 Replies
grayson_lover
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Eliana Y.
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Stella R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
William Ramirez
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Russell C.
+1
23 upvotes
Connor P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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