Hey folks, I've been here for 18 years and Rent is about $1,820/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. TIA! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
20 Replies
Eleanor Campbell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
40 upvotes
Emma Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking 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 challenging. 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 high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Easton Thompson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
milwaukee_nevaeh
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Bennett N.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
mesa_eliana
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Thomas M.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Nicholas Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Leo Campbell
This.
24 upvotes
Lily
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
23 upvotes
Jonathan Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh 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 Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Nathan Miller
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Highland area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Ellie Murphy
haha yep pretty much
14 upvotes
Aaron Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Serenity S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
11 upvotes
Emily Nelson
great question, following
10 upvotes
Lillian Morales
honestly same experience here
9 upvotes
Hailey Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Willow Phillips
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Allison H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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