Longtime lurker here, My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 5.0%, which is about average. Median household income is $81,121, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,966/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
- Poor road conditions
- Homelessness issues downtown
Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
2 upvotes
19 Replies
Anna T.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great craft beer places. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Roman Clark
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Luna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Lydia Morgan
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
- The nightlife scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Aubrey Jackson
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Riley C.
bump
25 upvotes
Nicholas W.
Moved here from Portland about 13 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Nova Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Nova Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
facts
15 upvotes
Isabella Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Caroline A.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
10 upvotes
Axel James
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
David Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Leonardo Long
noted, appreciate it
4 upvotes
Scarlett Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Allison Richardson
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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