Been meaning to ask this. I work in energy and The median home value here is around $175,600, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Jack Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Claire Patel
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Cora Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Quinn Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Denise J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is tough in most areas.
23 upvotes
Camila M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Stella C.
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
Henry Murphy
big facts right here
18 upvotes
Julia C.
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Carolyn W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
I'm a software engineer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Gabriel
I've lived in Midtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Rachel N.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
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