The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Riverside, California
Riverside is a large city offering many different neighborhoods featuring single-family homes, condos, and luxury lofts. Whether you are a history buff strolling through historical sites and museums, or the outdoorsy type looking for beautiful hiking areas, Riverside and its surrounding areas have it all for you.
With all the different neighborhoods Riverside has to offer, it can be tough to decide where to live. I’ve selected eight great neighborhoods based on my tenure in property management.
Let's take a tour of the Eight Best Neighborhoods in Riverside, California, shall we?
Downtown Riverside
If you appreciate history, then Downtown is the place for you. It is home to more than a dozen historical sites and more than thirty city-designated landmarks. Walking along the tree-lined streets, you will find landmarks such as the famous Fox Theater, where the first showing of the 1939 film Gone with the Wind took place; The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, and the Riverside County Historic Courthouse. During the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year); the Mission Inn is decorated with more than 3.5 million holiday lights and hundreds of animated figures during the “Festival of Lights.”
If you are the outdoorsy type, then you must visit Fairmount Park and hike to the top of Mt. Rubidoux. Fairmount Park is a 209-acre historical park and includes Lake Evans, Fairmount Lake, and Fairmount Golf Course. Mt. Rubidoux is a 161-acre prominent, and distinctive hill rising high above downtown with hiking trails leading to the top of the hill and giving breathtaking views of the city. It is well known for 4th of July fireworks and Easter Sunrise Services.
Are you a foody? You will love the eats to be had downtown. Anything you are craving can be found here ranging from Mexican food to French, to Italian, and beyond. There is plenty to choose from: restaurants such as Le Chat Noir, a French Restaurant; Mario’s Place, an upscale Northern Italian spot; Old Spaghetti Factory; and the Salted Pig.
Schools in the area include Bryant Elementary and St. Francis de Sales. The average rent for a 2-bedroom single-family home in the area is $1695. The average price to purchase a home in the area is $300,000.
Wood Streets
The Wood Streets are located close to Downtown Riverside making it a desirable location to live. A subdivider named Wood used his name as a suffix to a street name, and so began the “Wood Streets.” Here you will find homes with beautiful landscaping and narrow streets, reminiscent of the 1920’s home. Architecturally speaking these homes are showstoppers, reflective of the designs of the early part of the century as most homes were built before World War II. A unique fact about the neighborhood, it sits partially on naturally flat land and partially on a manufactured land area.
The region has a strong sense of community and tradition of home ownership. Most homes are owned rather than rented. Although as the generations pass, we are seeing a shift towards an increase in renters in the area.
The average rent for a 2-bedroom Wood Street home is $1800. The average purchase price of a 2-bedroom home in this neighborhood is $350,000.
Canyon Crest
Canyon Crest is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in Riverside. Most of the homes in the area represent a modern subdivision design. The hilly terrain has shaped the development and created some stunning views.
The Canyon Crest Towne Centre offers shopping from boutiques to groceries; you can find almost anything in the shops. All that shopping got you hungry. Fear not! There are plenty of eats to be had, ranging from BBQ to Burgers to Ice Cream. Whatever you crave, you will find it here.
Full from all that eating? Hit the great outdoors by walking any number of trails surrounding the area or take the kids to Sycamore Highlands Park. Sycamore Highlands Park is a 10-acre neighborhood park with many trails within the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park. Not much for hiking, no problem. Stop by Andulka Park; a brand new 30-acre park that includes two baseball fields, a tennis complex, two lighted basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a restroom and concession stand, a children’s playground, and more, for a fun day of play.
Average rent rate for a 4-bedroom home in Canyon Crest is $3000 a month. The average purchase price for a 4-bedroom home is $700,000.
Mission Grove
Mission Grove’s name is derived from the unique heritage of Riverside, the Mission Inn, and the Citrus Groves. The Mission Grove neighborhood is a newer area of Riverside consisting of a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and condos.
Mission Grove Plaza offers shopping, Sushi, movies, and more. The plaza is centrally located along Alessandro Blvd near Mission Grove Prkwy, making access to the 215, 60, or 91 Freeway easy for commuters.
Schools in the area include Martin Luther King, Riverside STEM Academy, and John F. Kennedy Elementary.
Average home price in Mission Grove for a 4-bedroom home is $550,000, and the average rental price is $2800 for a 4-bedroom home.
Orangecrest
Orangecrest is a relatively newer neighborhood compared to Woodcrest or Downtown, joining the scene in 1986. Orangecrest is bordered by March Air Force Base and Mission Grove. The neighborhood consists of mostly single-family homes. The proximity to the 215-freeway and the Orange Terrace Community Park makes this the #1 sought-after neighborhood in Riverside. Orange Terrace Park offers baseball and softball fields, a basketball court, a picnic area, and a Splash Pad.
You can do your shopping at the shopping centers located just down the street on Van Buren Blvd and Trautwein. Schools in the area include four elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools including King High.
Average home price in Orangecrest is $450,000 for a 4-bedroom, and the average rental price is $2800 for a 4-bedroom home.
La Sierra
La Sierra is located on the City’s western edge of town and is home to La Sierra University. The campus began on a site purchased by the Seventh Day Adventist Church to establish an academy. Today the campus is 140 acres with over 2,000 students. Located within the campus, you will find an arboretum, a beautiful library, museums, and an observatory. It is said that the La Sierra neighborhood is a city-within-a-city. In addition to La Sierra University, La Sierra is home to the Galleria at Tyler, Kaiser Hospital, Riverwalk, and the La Sierra Metrolink Station.
La Sierra is comprised of single-family tract homes, gated planned communities, and luxury apartments. Thanks to the many parks and fantastic schools this neighborhood has to offer, coupled with the Riverwalk master-planned community, this area saw dramatic growth in recent years.
The average home price for a 4-bedroom home in the area is $480,000. The average rental price for a 4-bedroom home in the area is $2300.
Hawarden Hills
A hidden gem in Riverside, the name Hawarden originated in the British Isles. The English descendants who invested in and occupied Arlington Heights brought names they were family within the British Isles.
Hawarden Hills neighborhood includes single-family homes on mid-size and estate lots and a small number of planned residential developments along Victoria Avenue primarily.
Schools in the area include Poly High school, a very sought-after school, and the California School for the Deaf.
The average price for a 4-bedroom home is $575,000 — the average rental price for a 4-bedroom $4,000.
Victoria
Victoria was originally part of the Arlington Heights subdivision, an old and historic neighborhood. The neighborhood has the fourth highest homeownership rate in the city, according to Riverside City statistics. Developer, Matthew Gage, partly developed the neighborhood and hired architect Priestly Hall to design a Victorian Style house on top of Victoria Hill. The house still stands on the hill and is known as Rockledge. Rockledge is a stunning three-story home prime example of the Victorian-style architecture and was recently restored to mint condition.
If you are a golf lover, then you must check out the Victoria Country Club. The stunning, private Country Club is home to an eighteen-hole golf course, 6-lane 25-yard swimming pool, five lighted tennis courts, an exercise room, dining rooms, and a beautiful Victorian-style clubhouse.
Great schools in the area include Poly Tech High School, California School for the Deaf, and Gage Middle school.
The average home price for a 4-bedroom home in the area is $575,000. The average rental price for a 4-bedroom is $2200.
There are many great neighborhoods located within the Riverside City limits. So, whether you are looking to purchase your next home or looking to rent, you are bound to find your dream home in Riverside.
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