Median household income is $104,808, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,522 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 10,984 people. Rent is about $1,522/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
2 upvotes
9 Replies
Lydia Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Alice Walker
I've lived in Riverside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Christine B.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Ava Cruz
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community vibe is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
18 upvotes
Aiden
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Ethan Wilson
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The community vibe is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Reagan Torres
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in South area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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