Hey, I relocated for work and The median home value here is around $171,400, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Ava M.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
George P.
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Hailey Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Violet Miller
accurate
30 upvotes
Violet Gomez
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
30 upvotes
Dylan Gomez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
Caleb H.
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 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
19 upvotes
Clara Sanders
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Gerald W.
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Bennett Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Kinsley Sanders
great question, following
6 upvotes
Isabelle Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 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. Property taxes are high. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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