My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience? TIA! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up.
23 upvotes
15 Replies
Christine G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Owen Ramos
I work in education here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Caleb Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Andrew C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Piper Hill
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
22 upvotes
Kayden Gomez
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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
Grace Miller
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Nicholas Martinez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Ezekiel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Sophie
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Kayden Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jameson Cook
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Emily Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Arianna M.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
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