Moving to Riverside? Known as the birthplace of California’s citrus industry, Riverside offers affordable living in California, delicious food, abundant outdoor recreation, and more. Check out these five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Riverside, CA!
Canyon Crest
- Home Price: $475,387 median purchase price; $1,945 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Riverside neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located among the picturesque hills of Riverside, tree-lined Canyon Crest provides no shortage of fun things to do in Riverside. Canyon Crest is an ideal locale for people of all ages as it’s situated near the amenities in Downtown Riverside without losing access to great outdoor recreation opportunities. In fact, nature enthusiasts flock to this area due to its close proximity to vast green spaces like Sycamore Canyon Park and a variety of hiking trails. Those looking to further their education will appreciate Canyon Crest’s proximity to the University of California, Riverside—which has consistently ranked in the top 1.3% of universities worldwide. Meanwhile, parents can enroll their children at quality public schools in the area like Canyon Crest KinderCare, Castle View Elementary, and William Howard Taft Elementary School. To top it off, this Riverside neighborhood offers a wide array of housing options to suit your budget—from apartments, townhouses, and condos, to Craftsman and Mission-style homes.
Things to Do in Canyon Crest
Attend Riverside community events, run errands, or catch up with friends by one of the fountains at the Canyon Crest Towne Centre. Shop at popular retail stores, dress up for the annual Mall-O-Ween event, or view the winter holiday light show at Moreno Valley Mall. Enjoy the pool, play a few rounds of tennis, or try your luck on the golf course when you become a member at Canyon Crest Country Club. Bring the kids out to the playground, go for a leisurely walk, or take in stunning views of the mountains at Castleview Park. Satisfy your caffeine cravings with a Cold Brew or Matcha Latte paired with a fresh Blueberry Citrus Scone or Vegan Sugar Cookie at Arcade Coffee Roasters. Devour The Mac Rib, Brisket Quesadilla, or Rudy’s Vegan Stacked Sando at Smoke & Fire Social Eatery. Sample Mediterranean dishes like the Chicken Shawarma, Kefta Kabab Bowl, or Beef Shawarma Wrap at Georgie’s Mediterranean Cuisine. Or choose from a Blackened Chicken Sandwich, Flame-Broiled Rib Eye Steak, or Red Snapper Filet at Crest Cafe.
Orangecrest
- Home Price: $478,844 median purchase price; $2,234 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Riverside neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Looking for a laid-back, tight-knit community? Check out Orangecrest! One of the best Riverside neighborhoods for families, Orangecrest is located near several high-quality schools, such as Mark Twain Elementary, Amelia Earhart Middle School, and Martin Luther King High School—one of the top high schools in the Riverside Unified School District. People of all ages can take advantage of outdoor amenities like Thundersky Park, Bergamont Park, and Orange Terrace Park, which provide the local community with a playground, sports courts, and lots of green space to enjoy. And when browsing homes for sale in Orangecrest, you’ll find several quiet cul-de-sacs filled with ranches and Spanish-style homes to choose from.
Things to Do in Orangecrest
Make a splash in swim classes for a variety of levels—like the Water Safety Class, Parent-Infant Class, or Competition Preparedness Class—at Orangecrest Swim School. Take advantage of a quiet study room, attend storytime, or check out books, movies, and CDs at Riverside’s first green library, Orange Terrace Library. Treat your four-legged friend to a well-maintained Riverside dog park and let them run wild at Orangecrest Dog Park. Keep up your fitness with group classes, free weights, and more at Fitness Mania, which offers memberships for both kids and adults. Kick off your morning with a Peanut Butter Crunch Protein Smoothie, Festival Green Power Vegetable Smoothie, or fresh juices like Sunny Day at Juju Bar. Savor delicious Japanese cuisines like Kimchee Ramen, Squid Sashimi, or Cajun Salmon Sushi at Amagi Sushi. Munch on fresh sandwiches like D’Chicken BLT, Philly D’Fuego, or D’Cuban at D’Elia’s Grinders. Or chow down a Chorizo Burrito, Flowering Toastada, or Texas Cheese Enchilada Dinner at Tio’s Mexican Food.
Ramona
- Home Price: $340,321 median purchase price; $1,557 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of Riverside neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Those moving to Riverside in search of great schools and convenient amenities should consider living in Ramona! While parents can send their kids off to top schools like Monroe Elementary, Chemawa Middle School, and Ramona High School, those looking to further their education have easy access to California Baptist University. Residents of this west Riverside neighborhood can find all types of housing options, ranging from ranches to budget-friendly condos and apartments. Plus, Ramona borders the Riverside Freeway, making for convenient daily commutes—and frequent travelers can take advantage of close proximity to the Riverside Municipal Airport. To top it all off, there are plenty of fun activities within the area to keep you busy, including community events hosted by the Riverside Heritage House, quaint neighborhood parks, and more!
Things to Do in Ramona
Pick out your favorite bowling ball and roll for a strike, check out the arcade, or challenge a friend to a game of pool at Arlington Lanes. Have fun in the dark playing arcade games, console games, miniature golf, and more at GLO Mini Golf. Practice your batting skills in the Major League, Little League, or Softball areas at Riverside Batting Cages & Pro Shop. Sign up for a Bouldering, Lead Climbing, or Top-Rope Climbing class at Hangar 18 Indoor Climbing Gym. Pack the family or friends in the car and enjoy classic films on the big screen at Van Buren Drive-In Theater. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in Riverside with Pork Chops ‘n Eggs, Mushroom ‘n Spinach Omelettes, or Stuffed French Toast at Flo’s Farmhouse Cafe. Taste authentic Mexican food like a Chimichanga, Wet Burrito, or Balifornia Burrito at El Habanero Mexican Food. Fill up on Tuna Sashimi, Beef Udon, or a Unagi Bowl at Tomo 7 Sushi. Or munch on Spicy Glass Noodles, Garlic Pepper Salmon, and Seafood Fried Rice at Riverside Thai Kitchen.
University
- Home Price: $322,612 median purchase price; $1,527 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 32% of Riverside neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
University is a vibrant, diverse community nestled in the northwestern part of Riverside, California, that’s perfect for a wide variety of residents! Looking for a place to settle with plenty of outdoor rec? Enjoy outdoor activities in Riverside with hiking trails like Two Trees Trail and Sugarloaf Peak Trail. Need to prioritize your commute? University residents have easy access to I-215, and the Riverside Transit Agency buses and Metrolink train are available, too. This affordable Riverside neighborhood is also home to the bustling UC Riverside campus, making University one of the best Riverside neighborhoods for singles and young professionals and perfect for those who like to attend a wide variety of events. And for families with children, parents can rest assured their students are getting a great education at schools like Longfellow Elementary School, which boasts dual language immersion, or Riverside STEM Academy, the second best public middle school in California.
Things to Do in University
Take a trip to the foothills of the Box Springs Mountain and visit the UC Riverside campus, where you can find 40 acres of themed gardens or enjoy a Bird Walk & Breakfast at the UCR Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a day outdoors on different hiking trails with the pup or kids at the Box Springs Mountain Reserve. Kick a ball around on the sports fields, play on the railroad-themed jungle gym, or take a ride on the train at Hunter Hobby Park. Browse through paintings, print works, and rotating art exhibits like Indigenous Futurism, or take up all-ages art classes at nearby Riverside Art Museum. Dig in to dishes like Trio Fajitas, Shredded Beef Torta, Alan’s Special, and more at Zacatecas Cafe. Order Stir-Fried Pork Belly with Jalapeno, String Beans with Fried Fish Tofu, or a BBQ Pork & Preserved Pickle Omelet at Big Sky Bistro. Looking for vegan restaurants in Riverside? Try a Yummy Chick Burger, Peace Dog, Blazin Wingz, and more at Veg & Go Plant-Based Fast Food. Or indulge in Curry Beef Over Rice or Popcorn Fish Fried rice to go with a Boba drink of your choice at Boba Cafe.
Victoria
- Home Price: $440,117 median purchase price; $1,813 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Riverside neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
A quiet, suburban neighborhood in western Riverside, Victoria features a stunning natural landscape as the backdrop to historic, charming homes in a mix of architectural styles, like Colonial, Cape Cod, Mid-Century Modern, and ranch-style. Kids will love the large yards attached to most homes in the area, and parents can enroll them in local schools like Louisa May Alcott Elementary, Matthew Gage Middle School, or the Riverside Polytechnic High School—the oldest school in Riverside County. For deaf or hard of hearing residents, the California School for the Deaf, Riverside is conveniently located and offers inclusive learning to help prep students for college and careers. And once the weekend hits, everyone can enjoy convenient sight-seeing, including visiting the Victoria Bridge or driving along Victoria Avenue—an iconic street running through Riverside that’s lined with orange groves, roses, and other plants.
Things to Do in Victoria
Enjoy an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, beverage lounges, and an 18-hole Championship golf course at the premiere Victoria Club. Make your way out of the Captain’s Dungeon, pull off the perfect heist, or break out of the asylum at the Inland Empire Escape Rooms. Learn self-defense, register for adult Kickboxing Classes, or sign your kids up for a Kung-Fu program at Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy. Take the kids down to play on the basketball courts, kick a ball around in well-manicured fields, or go for a nice walk at Andulka Park. Enjoy Pakistani dishes like Chicken Seekh Kabob, Beef Karahi, or Shrimp Biryani at Al-Karam Pakistani Cuisine. Choose your own toppings or order a Specialty Fiesta, Chicken Pesto, or Margherita pizza at Antonious Pizza. Fill up on Oyster Shooters for yourself or select Aguachile, Para Picar, or Sashimi dishes for the table at La Cruda Mariscos. Or order a Stuffed Pepper Burrito, Ranchero Style Nachos, Beef Quesadilla, or Fried Pork Taco at Mariscos El Camaron Loco.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes.
