Alright, Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thanks in advance! It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Allison Hughes
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Cora Taylor
Moved here from Atlanta about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Peyton
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Eric G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
real estate is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Riverside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
mesamind2022
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Emily Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
31 upvotes
Gianna Howard
same here
29 upvotes
Declan Murphy
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
William D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
19 upvotes
Noah Phillips
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
David Murphy
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Benjamin R.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
11 upvotes
Hailey B.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
10 upvotes
Luna P.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's average.
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