Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Median household income is $67,938, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 5,081 people. Homes are going for about $113,400 on average. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Kai Wilson
+1
36 upvotes
la_natalie
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Josiah R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
grace_living
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Lucy James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Lydia Rogers
seconding this
21 upvotes
Lillian Walker
I'm a writer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Peyton Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Skylar T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Hannah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Jaxon
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Jayden T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
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