So, I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Valentina R.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Riverside area are improving. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Leah Jones
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Robert B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
29 upvotes
kai_soul
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
28 upvotes
Katherine Davis
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Hannah
this is the way
21 upvotes
Kayden Garcia
wish I knew this sooner
21 upvotes
Jaxon Reed
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
19 upvotes
Eli T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Avery W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 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. Limited public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Hunter Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Owen
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
parker_vibes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 39, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
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