So, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $45,883, which feels on the lower side for the area. Am I wrong here?
5 upvotes
25 Replies
Emily Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Everly Garcia
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Ryan L.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
Sophie Anderson
wish I knew this sooner
35 upvotes
Victoria Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Alexa J.
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Nicholas P.
100%
32 upvotes
Angel Jackson
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
sd_hailey
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
connor_kid
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Ethan Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Lydia James
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
Genesis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Michael G.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The food scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Madelyn Green
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Julian Thompson
literally same
13 upvotes
Austin E.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
11 upvotes
Alice Phillips
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
11 upvotes
Everly Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Aubrey Perez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Michael Brown
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
11 upvotes
chicagomind2025
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
George W.
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes
Maverick Moore
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
0 upvotes
Lily
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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