Hi all, I'm a 27-year-old HR manager and Median household income is $65,211, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thoughts? The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
7 upvotes
7 Replies
Cheryl R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Ruth H.
literally same
37 upvotes
Robert Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Eli W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 challenging. 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Michael Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Madeline T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Charlotte P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
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