Longtime lurker here, It's a a small town city with about 19,178 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Hudson Jimenez
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
sacramentomind2020
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
nycvibes2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to LA it's surprisingly good.
29 upvotes
Ezra Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
28 upvotes
Luke Richardson
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Gabriella Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Piper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly 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 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Vivian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Camila J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Ruby Richardson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Nolan P.
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
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