Hello, I've been here for 5 years and Median household income is $55,034, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective. The suburbs are where most families end up.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Christian Harris
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Christian Price
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
atl_natalie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Harper M.
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Bella Ramirez
spot on
25 upvotes
Bennett Robinson
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
austindude2025
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
18 upvotes
Sarah
yep
15 upvotes
Declan W.
lol so true
13 upvotes
Isaac Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Leonardo Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining 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. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
3 upvotes
Ezra Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Henry Anderson
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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