Riverside, CA
California's Inland Empire is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, and its unofficial capital is the city of Riverside. This scenic city set in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains features warm summers and mild winters, giving it weather that makes it perfect for outdoor activities almost year-round. The city's close proximity to numerous Southern California landmarks also make it easy to enjoy some of the country's best shopping, fine dining and amusement parks. The savvy real estate buyer will find plenty of homes for sale at prices considerably more affordable than in neighboring counties.
California's Inland Empire is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, and its unofficial capital is the city of Riverside. This scenic city set in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains features warm summers and mild winters, giving it weather that makes it perfect for outdoor activities almost year-round. The city's close proximity to numerous Southern California landmarks also make it easy to enjoy some of the country's best shopping, fine dining and amusement parks. The savvy real estate buyer will find plenty of homes for sale at prices considerably more affordable than in neighboring counties.
Hiking and walking trails abound in the city and its surroundings, including the Mount Roubidoux Trail, numerous trails at Box Springs Mountain and a great trail along the Santa Ana River. Despite being called the "Inland Empire," the area is only about an hour from the ocean, including the beautiful areas of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.
One of the great things about the Inland Empire and the city itself is how easy it is to get from the Inland Empire to some of California's most iconic locations. You're less than an hour from Disneyland Park, only 90 minutes away from San Diego, and only two hours away from the famous Hollywood sign.
Compared to the average cost of homes in nearby Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Riverside boasts a much more affordable housing market. The median sold price of existing single family homes is between $329,200 and $338,290, which is more than $100,00 less than Los Angeles County and almost $400,000 less than Orange County. Newly constructed homes for sale range in the low $400,000 to $500,000 range, and you can easily find great real estate without paying the exorbitant prices you would expect in Southern California. California bungalow style homes are common throughout many neighborhoods in the city, along with larger, ranch-style homes in many of the newer neighborhoods. Several top-rated schools are found in and around the city, including Lake Matthews Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Martin Luther King Jr. High School. The Inland Empire also has its own University of California campus, bringing students the programs of a large university within the confines of a more intimate campus.