Not sure if this has been asked before, but Been living here since 2005. Rent is about $924/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $924 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Theodore N.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
34 upvotes
Jeremiah Ross
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
I'm a accountant and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Isabelle Ramirez
yep
24 upvotes
Michael P.
I've lived in Riverside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
wild_rylee67
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Jacob S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Alexander Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
4 upvotes
Alexa Lewis
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
2 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
fresno_arianna
I work in construction here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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