Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. With a population of 104K, Rialto is a mid-size city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
57 upvotes
4 Replies
Grace Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 26, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Downtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Phoenix, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
Clara Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
37 upvotes
Avery Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Skylar Diaz
I'm a teacher and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.