I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $229,100, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakeland sits at 311.8 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts. Cheers. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
35 upvotes
6 Replies
Madelyn Lewis
preach
33 upvotes
Anthony M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
29 upvotes
Jonathan A.
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Eleanor Long
lol so true
14 upvotes
Ella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 55, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
12 upvotes
Josiah Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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