Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 7.2%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
11 upvotes
7 Replies
Silas Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Riverside schools are average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Austin M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
30 upvotes
Steven P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 5 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are pretty 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Riley Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Serenity R.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Ruby T.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
greyson_life
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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