First post here. Poverty rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $155,365, which feels pretty solid for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Elena R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
38 upvotes
jacob_girl
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 traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Vivian M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Ella Morales
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Sophia Ross
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's hit or miss.
23 upvotes
Julia
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Rachel M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Paisley Collins
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
Sara R.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
15 upvotes
Claire Gomez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Elena R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 15 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking 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 tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
John H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Natalie Hill
I've lived in South for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Mackenzie Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
