Curious what people think. Homes are going for about $424,500 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Would love some local perspective. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Christian C.
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Connor Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Nathan Cruz
This.
30 upvotes
Allison M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Aaliyah Watson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Atlanta it's surprisingly good.
29 upvotes
Aiden W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
21 upvotes
Luca Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Camila Jones
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
20 upvotes
Isabelle G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Downtown schools are surprisingly 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
sacramentomind2020
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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