Firstly why Riverside, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Riverside
• State: California
• Population: 330,927 people
• Riverside’s quick summary would be Celebrated for the historic Mission Inn and its vibrant arts community.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 21,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 31,000 annually
• Net Migration: -10000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 5,000
• Number of Homeless people: 2,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a mix of urban and suburban living attracting diverse populations

Perk #1: Riverside Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 54%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $61,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Riverside is $61,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Riverside’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,971
• Property Tax %: 1.12%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,650
• Rent for an average house: $2,400
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Riverside
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Riverside, Moreno-Valley, Corona, Jurupa-Valley, and probably could include Perris
• Avg. Age of Homes in Riverside: 52 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Riverside’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Riverside are  Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing
• Riverside Job Scene: diverse job market with growth in logistics and services
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech ecosystem with diverse industries including technology and healthcare , ,
• Riverside Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Riverside: 8.75%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 170 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 15

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Riverside

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-215 connects Riverside with San Bernardino and other areas
• Commute Time: 26 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy traffic on the 91 Freeway
• Transportation Score: 47 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Riverside: 220,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.7
• No. of Car Washes: 9 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Riverside: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 64 of 100
• Local Airport: Ontario International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Riverside’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Riverside is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F and mild winters with light rain
• Winter Weather in Riverside i’d describe as mild and sunny
• Spring Weather in Riverside can be described as warm and dry
• Summer’s in Riverside are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Riverside is usually warm and sunny
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 42 days in summer
• Days in a row in Riverside below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 18 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality is often affected by heat and smoke
• Riverside Winter Air average air quality with occasional spikes due to smog

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Riverside Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Riverside 12
• While the number of trade schools inside Riversides’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Riverside Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Riverside Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Riverside only Doctors is about 220
• Local Hospitals here is  8
• Full-time Riverside only Police Officers is about 340
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Riverside’s Monthly utility bill average is $170
• Riverside’s Monthly Gym Membership: $54
• Riverside’s Water Quality Score: 65

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Riverside

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: historic city with a growing arts scene and local festivals
• You might enjoy performances at the Fox Performing Arts Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Riverside  has a rich array of nightlife experiences including live music art shows and local bars

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Riverside

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a blend of casual dining and family restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 80 scattered around Riverside
• The Popular Sports Team is Riverside City College
• Top Level Political Climate in Riverside can be described as conservatively leaning with issues around housing and urban development
• Riverside’s Longer standing religious establishment is Mount Zion Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Riverside Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Riverside has 65 Parks?
• Riverside Plaza is Riverside’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Riverside Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Outdoor festivals, hiking, and cycling

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Riverside Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Riverside can be described as busy urban area focusing on arts and historic landmarks
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Riverside attending local events community gardening nature hikes
• The Cities people commute to from Riverside are Ontario 21 miles away Corona 18 miles away Moreno-Valley 19 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Riverside or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: heavy traffic on the 91 Freeway. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Riverside’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Riverside is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Riverside are Ontario 21 miles away Corona 18 miles away Moreno-Valley 19 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Riverside has 0 days in a row below freezing and 42 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Riverside people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   2,000 homeless people living in Riverside. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservatively leaning with issues around housing and urban development could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Riverside.

Retiree & Senior Life in Riverside

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might benefit from property tax reductions enhancing their financial situation
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Riverside
• Riverside Senior Center provides senior resources recreational activities and meals

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Riverside, California?

If Riverside, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Riverside, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!