Alright, It's a a small town city with about 5,539 people.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Ella Cook
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Cora Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
37 upvotes
Luke Brooks
This.
36 upvotes
Hannah J.
I'm a electrician and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Sarah Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 50, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
31 upvotes
Aubrey Turner
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
29 upvotes
Ann M.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Victoria C.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Sophia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 27, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. improving 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
17 upvotes
Hunter Thompson
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Mason Scott
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Ian Harris
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Evan Ruiz
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 Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering 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 better than expected - we have rivers 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 better than expected. 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. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.