Curious what people think. Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $382,700, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 9.0%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
0 upvotes
7 Replies
Caleb King
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The public transit is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Claire Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Josiah Perez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Jaxon P.
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Isaac Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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