Hi all, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $1,090 for rent here. The median home value here is around $118,900, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $54,700, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $118,900 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Caroline Brown
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
as a local I can confirm
20 upvotes
evelyn_heart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Natalie Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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:**
marketing is strong here. government 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Grayson Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Uptown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
5 upvotes
Cora
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Joshua Brown
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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