Longtime lurker here, It's a a mid-size city city with about 293K people. You can expect to pay around $978 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Let me know your thoughts.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Austin Clark
+1
27 upvotes
Elena
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Logan D.
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 Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking 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 better than expected. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Eric C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Audrey Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Jayden Miller
same here
10 upvotes
David Nelson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Jonathan M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
4 upvotes
Thomas Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 10 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
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