First post here. Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -San Marcos sits at 195.7 per 100K. The median home value here is around $792,400, which is pretty steep. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? TIA!
4 upvotes
23 Replies
Luna Harris
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Savannah Reyes
Moved here last year, no regrets.
39 upvotes
Stella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Caleb Cooper
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Emily C.
following this thread
30 upvotes
Riley
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Stephanie M.
bump
28 upvotes
Angel F.
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Grayson Gutierrez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Sarah A.
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
24 upvotes
Oliver
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Victoria Moore
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Oliver Parker
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Noah Gray
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 Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails 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 improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Jack
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in The Heights area are tough. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Grace Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Cora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
James Flores
+1
11 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Fairview) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
7 upvotes
Ava
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Jonathan Clark
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
All Countries
