Rent is about $1,404/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $235,500 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I overthinking this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Paisley Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Luna Bennett
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Piper W.
I'm a nurse and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Colton Diaz
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Stella
not my experience at all
18 upvotes
fresno_kennedy
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Ava Scott
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Leonardo W.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
8 upvotes
Genesis
100%
4 upvotes
Peyton H.
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 Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
savannah_mind
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Seattle it's surprisingly good.
1 upvotes
Aubrey Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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