Riverside, California
If you’re thinking of moving to Riverside, California, you’re not alone. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates from 2000 to 2009, the city’s population has grown by 37.5 percent! What keeps Riverside moving companies so busy?
First on the list of attractive features is its bustling economy. Many people are relocating to Riverside for its thriving healthcare and technology industries. Others are moving to Riverside for its high quality of life. The city offers many attractions to entice people to take up residence there, including a bustling farmer’s market right in the downtown area. Kaboom!, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to persuading children to play and exercise, rated Riverside one of America’s “most playful cities” in 2008.
Economy:
In 2006, the City of Riverside demonstrated its commitment to growth by introducing the Riverside Renaissance program. This was a $1.57 billion investment in the community, including updates to aging infrastructure (such as sewer systems and the electrical grid) and improving community resources such as libraries, parks, fire stations and police stations. Even the local airport has seen several updates with more in the works. As of August 2010, well over half of the projects have been completed, which has brought better resources to area businesses and residences.
Riverside’s largest industry is the medical industry, which accounts for eight of its 25 largest employers. Other major employers include casinos and resorts, fruit and vegetable growers and internet catalog companies. Lately another industry has been moving to Riverside: the technology industry. The fastest-growing tech sectors are data analysis and computer software engineering.
History:
Riverside, California has been a center for the arts since its founding in 1870 by John North, who was moving cross-country to establish a town dedicated to education and culture. He and his friends built the new town on the site of a former Spanish ranch. Riverside’s culture reflects the influence of its Canadian and British founders (who built the first golf course and polo club in Southern California) as well as the Spanish missionaries and Native American peoples who preceded them.
In 1873, Eliza Tibbets of Riverside received two Brazilian orange trees from a friend at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. These trees started what some called “a new gold rush” of citrus growers which made Riverside the wealthiest city (per capita) by 1895. The city is still known for its groves, and they are a popular destination for visitors.
Tourism:
Just as its founder foresaw, Riverside became a thriving center for arts and culture. Visitors to Riverside can enjoy Mexican folk dances at the Ballet Folklorico, tour a “Spanish castle” built in 1921 or visit one of Riverside’s many museums.
If you’re moving to Riverside, you’ll want to put an events calendar on your refrigerator just to keep track of the many seasonal festivals hosted by the town. Its most popular festivals occur in the cooler months, such as the Day of the Dead parade (held in November), the Festival of Trees (held during Thanksgiving week), the Family Village Festival (held throughout the fall) and the Festival of Lights (held during the Christmas season).
Colleges/Universities:
• California Southern Law School
• Riverside Community College
• La Sierra University
• University of California, Riverside Extension
Interesting Facts:
• The symbol of Riverside, California is the Raincross. It is a combination of the mission bell used by Father Junipero Serra (missionary priest and founder of the California Missions) and the cross to which the Navajo Indians prayed for rain.
• As of 2008, the median home price in Riverside was $201,250.
• Riverside is a “young town;” the median age of Riverside residents is 30.2 years, which is lower than the national median age of 36.7 years.
Helpful Links:
• City of Riverside
• Riverside Real Estate
• Riverside Dental Offices
• Riverside Moving Guide