Median household income is $104,375, which feels pretty solid for the area. Worth the trade-offs?
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Aria W.
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Aubrey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Janice N.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Carolyn F.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Rylee Castillo
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is tough in most areas.
23 upvotes
Sadie Bailey
100%
23 upvotes
Chloe G.
I've lived in West for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Isabella Long
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Oliver
Moved here from Austin about 7 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Autumn Harris
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Sadie Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
nolamama2026
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Michael James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 solid. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Julian J.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
8 upvotes
Alexa S.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..