Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 1 months ago and Median household income is $51,077, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. You can expect to pay around $1,540 for rent here. Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
Elizabeth
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
38 upvotes
John Carter
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Joshua Baker
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Dylan Carter
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
I work in manufacturing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Joseph Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
16 upvotes
axel_soul
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Greyson M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
8 upvotes
wild_julian81
I've lived in Riverside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Nolan Kim
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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