I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,447/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
18 upvotes
14 Replies
Oliver Evans
I'm a electrician and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Lucas Gonzalez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Levi P.
accurate
33 upvotes
Leah B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
27 upvotes
Daniel Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
24 upvotes
Adam
100%
22 upvotes
Brooklyn
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Greyson W.
facts
18 upvotes
Luke T.
honestly same experience here
18 upvotes
James Nguyen
spot on
17 upvotes
Madeline B.
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Jayden Jimenez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
Emily R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Ezekiel Castillo
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..