Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $435,300 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 165K people. Average temperature is around 62°F, so the weather is moderate. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development.
33 upvotes
13 Replies
Thomas Evans
spot on
40 upvotes
Nevaeh Peterson
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Frances G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Adam Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Reagan W.
bump
34 upvotes
julian_fan
bump
32 upvotes
Savannah W.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much stable but now it's improving.
28 upvotes
Emilia J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Minneapolis it's tough.
27 upvotes
Harper J.
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Jameson B.
This.
19 upvotes
Hunter M.
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Cooper
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Maverick Ross
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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