Longtime lurker here, Homes are going for about $286,200 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Mason T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Angel
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Lucas Cook
100%
36 upvotes
Emily Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
27 upvotes
Zoe A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
26 upvotes
Brooklyn
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 decent. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Ian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Hunter Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
21 upvotes
peyton_mind
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
20 upvotes
phoenixwalker2024
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Axel W.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The job market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Landon Jimenez
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Chloe K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. 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 rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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