Hello, Median household income is $83,139, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,041/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
9 Replies
Victoria Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
kennedy_rider
Used to live on the South side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Jordan J.
seconding this
27 upvotes
Daniel Turner
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Michael Castillo
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Marilyn G.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
17 upvotes
Lydia Collins
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
raised_mason11
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
3 upvotes
Albert D.
I've lived in Riverside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
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