Riverside CA (San Diego, Anaheim, San Bernardino: smog, job, house)

[kierancronin]

Hi all,

I'm an Irish guy trying to obtain work in the west coast of USA, primarily just to experience a different type culture for a year or two. I have been told that San Diego is real fun and that would be my preferred location. However I have a potential job in Riverside CA and know nothing about that area. As I am not under any financial pressure to move there I would appreciate it if Riverside is a fun location to live (it seems to me that so far away from the beaches it is primarily a commuter city and would not be a very fun location for a 28 year old guy to have fun for a year or 2). I would greatly appreciate anyones advice on the quality of life in Riverside.

Thanks

Kieran

[Mel2882]

I live in Corona and work in Riverside. I'm 25 and personally I have no fun here. I usually just hang out in Orange County on the weekends. This could be because that is where my friends are, but I've lived here for almost 2 years and have yet to find anything worthwhile here. Just my experience. I think San Diego would be a lot better choice for our age group.

[Mel2882]

Where are you moving from?

[Bullfrog77]

Do Not Move To Riverside!!!

[da jammer]

Live in Orange County (were all the action is) and work in Riverside. That way you will, for the most part be going against the gnarley traffic each way. The heat and smog can be a real killer in the Riverside area in the summer. That said if you are looking to buy a house the Orange County market is pretty darn spendy but my ex father in law is a realtor out there and could help you find a place if you are interested.

[wondrwmn]

Wanted to post about Riverside - I live in Corona and am not single. But my 2 cents on the neighborhood is similar to above. This is a major commuting area - not to many people looking for connections. Most people go to OC for fun. Downtown Riverside is trying to be fun with the college being right there but air quality is so bad! If price was an issue - I would suggest it here but only for that reason.

If you have an opportunity to live in San Diego - I would totally do that. That has been my second home since I have been born. I love Pacific Beach for that very reason. Lots of fun happening there! Good luck with your decision!

[abdiaz85]

I also was looking a possible job in Colton CA and was thinking of living in Riverside. However I am young and it is important to me that I live in a city where is lots to do and people my age. Where you suggest I look, please factor in commute time and traffic.... not looking for anything more than 1 hour. THanks!

[wondrwmn]

I had to look up where Colton was! It is where the 10 and the 215 meet. Traffic is horrible right there - you sure you want to commute?

If the answer is yes, I would suggest Rancho Cucamonga. Funny name - but a big community college demographic live/work there. Lots of fun to do at Ontario Mills and Victoria Gardens. Now there has been quite a few shootings at Ontario and now one at Victoria Gardens, so be advised! But, I don't think I would want to live in Colton. Hope that helps!

[abdiaz85]

Thanks for the advice, The job is either in Colton CA or Jacksonville FL... it pays well so I don't want to pass it up. However Jacksonville may not realistically be a choice... so I am just thinking worst case scenario. Looking on google maps, and going by the recommendation that Orange County is where I wanna be... Anaheim seems to be a 45 min commute. I don't know traffic in that area but the directions say I am on 91 East for 36 of the 41 mile commute.... What do you know about Anaheim and would that be a fun place to live for a young professional?

Also is 91 going inland Cali a tough commute? I am coming from the metro NYC area so I know about bad traffic (45 minutes just to cross the GWB). If it only adds 20-30 minutes of traffic it would be tolerable. This would be my 1st job out of college and, being a city boy I want to live somewhere with a decent amount of action and people my age. I appreciate any advice.

[da jammer]

Originally Posted by abdiaz85

Thanks for the advice, The job is either in Colton CA or Jacksonville FL... it pays well so I don't want to pass it up. However Jacksonville may not realistically be a choice... so I am just thinking worst case scenario. Looking on google maps, and going by the recommendation that Orange County is where I wanna be... Anaheim seems to be a 45 min commute. I don't know traffic in that area but the directions say I am on 91 East for 36 of the 41 mile commute.... What do you know about Anaheim and would that be a fun place to live for a young professional?

Also is 91 going inland Cali a tough commute? I am coming from the metro NYC area so I know about bad traffic (45 minutes just to cross the GWB). If it only adds 20-30 minutes of traffic it would be tolerable. This would be my 1st job out of college and, being a city boy I want to live somewhere with a decent amount of action and people my age. I appreciate any advice.

First off let me say that it may say Missouri in my profile but I have lived and worked in Orange County and all of the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino County) for the last 25 years. I couldn't take the crazyness of So Cal any more that is why we are here. Pluses about Anaheim, one of the closest O.C. cities to the Inland Empire. Anaheim Stadium , you can come watch the Yankees lose to the Angels , The Pond where you can come watch the Rangers lose to the Ducks , Disneyland where you can take the family when they visit, same with Knott's Berry Farm, the beach is less than an hour away, snow skiing is less than two hours away, night clubs are all over the place, temperatures are fairly moderate most of the year, hookers are everywhere and there are major freeways all around the city. Downside, can be expensive to live there, your Yankees lose to the Angels more than any other AL club, traffic everywhere ya go and it's a good hour drive on a normal day to Colton.

That said, one thing you will notice that is way different that NYC....hardly anybody uses mass transit in so CA.