Random thought, With a population of 27,857, Walnut is a smaller city. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
28 upvotes
6 Replies
Eliana W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
34 upvotes
fresnolocal2023
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
28 upvotes
Christian
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The weather is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Elizabeth Alvarez
This.
16 upvotes
Mason Miller
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..