We have two kids and Poverty rate is 20.3%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a mid-size city city with about 114K people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thanks in advance! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
31 upvotes
9 Replies
mesa_bella
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes 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 decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Ellie Jackson
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Levi P.
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Clara Lewis
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
26 upvotes
born_sophie77
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Sebastian Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Lucas Turner
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Andrew
preach
2 upvotes
Addison Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
All Countries
