Are you contemplating a move to Moreno Valley? Then knowing what it’s like to live in this city would be ideal.
Moreno Valley, also known as “MoVal,” lies in Southern California, east of Riverside County and north of Perris.
By doubling its population from 49,702 to 118,000, the city became the second largest in Riverside County, establishing itself as one of the most populated regions in California.
Many factors make this city a desirable area to reside. It has a dense urban vibe, where people often live and work closely together in a fast-paced environment.
There are also constantly new restaurants to explore and lively nightlife in the neighborhood. However, there are drawbacks to living here.
To be aware of what it is like to live in this city, we created this article that discusses the pros and cons of living in Moreno Valley, California, so you can better understand the area.
Without further ado, let us begin!
List of Contents
Is Moreno Valley a Good Place To Live In? – A Modern City That Values Nature
The Good Side
The City’s Climate Is Great Year-round
If you’ve ever gone to the Mediterranean, you probably have a pretty good sense of what the weather is like in Moreno Valley. It has low annual precipitation, more temperate than average winters, and hot and dry summers.
If you want to make this place your home, you should know that it doesn’t snow very often but receives around 15 to 16 inches of rain annually.
In reality, winter temperatures rarely drop below 45°F. Also, throughout the summer, the temperature rarely rises above 85°, so you can spend much more time outside.
If you choose to make this city your home, you can take advantage of this location’s pleasant weather.
Moreno Valley Is Overflowing With Things To Do
Due to the beautiful weather that Moreno Valley has, there are many things you can do when you live in this city.
Being a town resident puts one in direct contact with mother nature. Outside recreation is a favorite pastime for residents in this area, as in many other places.
Numerous parks and playgrounds are within walking distance for families with children, including Westbluff Park, Portillo’s Hotdogs, and Box Springs Park. These playgrounds offer excellent leisure facilities for both children and adults.
Aside from these, it also has a beautiful natural environment that makes exploring fun. Box Springs Mountain encompasses this city, visible from any place in Moreno.
Lake Perris State Recreation is most likely the most popular place to unwind. Water activities, horseback riding, hiking, or touring a bike route are some options for good healthy pleasure that are readily available.
If you’d rather stay inside, you can visit the Moreno Valley Mall, Regency 8 Theater, or even the Moreno Valley Library.
Whenever you feel like going out to eat or having a drink, you can also visit one of the area’s many beautiful restaurants or clubs, both of which provide private settings and a selection of delectable cuisines.
To have a wonderful time in Moreno Valley, you must decide how you want to spend your time there enjoying yourself.
It Is Exceptionally Ethnically Diverse
Moreno Valley is home to people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. The residents of this city self-identify as members of many racial and ethnic groupings.
Living in this town, you can overhear people speaking German, Italian, Irish, Spanish, or Flemish, in addition to several other languages.
Hispanics and Latinos constitute 58.7% of the area’s population, making up the city’s largest ethnic group. Most people who call this city a home identify as being of White ancestry, followed by people who identify as being of Black or African-American descent.
This diverse population will provide you with a wealth of opportunities to learn about various cultures and languages, mainly Spanish, which will benefit your personal and professional life.
The Bad Side
The Rate of Criminal Activity in the City Is Extremely High
The crime rate in this city is a little on the high side, even though Moreno is not an especially dangerous place to live.
The crime rate is 18% higher than the national average and 9% higher than the average for California.
If you choose to reside here, you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a criminal offense victim. It is something you should know prior if you move.
While some areas in California are safer than others, there are also more dangerous cities. However, Moreno is safer than 26% of U.S. cities, and the city’s crime rate has declined by 8% annually.
The Place Has Lengthy Commute Times
The typical travel time for people of Moreno Valley is quite lengthy, which is one of the drawbacks of choosing to make your home in this city.
In the town, the typical travel time from one end to the other of a trip is 34.4 minutes. That exceeds the national average of 26.4 minutes.
That constitutes a significant amount of sedentary time and gazing out the windshield. On the other hand, this one isn’t as horrible compared to other California towns such as Los Angeles or San Francisco.
What Is the Cost of Living in Moreno Valley? – A City That Doesn’t Break the Bank!
The Good Side
Moreno Valley Is One of California’s Most Affordable Cities
Anyone who lives in California knows that compared to other regions of the United States, the cost of living in the country is much greater than in other parts of the nation. The average cost of living in this state is 49.9% more than the country’s average cost of living.
Living in this state must learn to adjust to this significantly higher cost of living. However, Moreno is one of the cities in the state where living expenses are still within a reasonable range.
Although the cost of living here is 24% higher than the average for the entire country, it is still 25.9% lower than the average for the state, making it one of the most affordable places in California.
As a result, living in this area will result in you spending less money on your necessary expenses than you would if you lived in a number of the other major cities in California.
The City’s Housing Costs Are Reasonable
Aside from the city’s cost of living, living in Moreno allows you to purchase real estate or find an apartment at a price that is within your budget.
California is known for its expensive housing market. In some areas of the state, the price of a home might exceed one million dollars. However, the average home price in Moreno is only $443,400, which is far lower than the state average of almost $70,000.
The expense of renting a home or apartment is likewise more reasonable. 37.2% of the city’s residents are renters, while 2.0% of its houses and apartments are available for rent.
When you rent an apartment in this community, the monthly payment you can anticipate might range anywhere from $1,499 to $1,934. The rent will depend on the location as well as the size of the property.
If you choose to make this location your permanent residence, you won’t need to devote the entirety of your salary to pay for a place to live.
It Offers Low Travel Expenses
The Riverside Transit Agency transports people of Moreno Valley who prefer public transportation. The system includes 36 set routes and stations all around the valley, making it easy and affordable for locals to get around at a low cost of convenience.
With an average fare of $1.50, a daily fare of $4, a weekly fare of $16, and a monthly fare of $50, living here, it is possible to navigate the city on a budget.
When traveling further distances, locals typically take Amtrak trains or fly out of Ontario International Airport, which lies approximately 30 minutes from Moreno Valley.
The Bad Side
The Tax Burden Is Significant in This Place
California, where Moreno Valley is lying, has a staggering state income tax of up to 13.3%, making it one of the states with the highest tax burden in the United States.
The situation is the same if you make this city your home. This city’s sales tax rate is 7.8 %, higher than the national average of 7.3%. Also, the income tax rate in this country is 9.3%, which is significantly higher than the average tax rate in the United States, which is 4.6%.
These taxes are an essential factor that you should consider when determining whether or not it is in your best interest to relocate to this Californian city, as they will significantly impact the money you can keep in your pocket each month.
Why Work in Moreno Valley? – Your Professional Journey Can Begin Right Here!
The Good Side
The City Has a Diverse Group of Workers
In contrast to other cities, which tend to be dominated by white-collar or blue-collar occupations, this town’s local economy does not depend on either of these jobs. Instead, it utilizes a diverse workforce of white- and blue-collar employment.
Overall, Moreno Valley is a city of people who work in sales and offices, as well as people who provide services and work in transportation and shipping.
The fields of office and administrative support (13.46%), sales (9.63%), and management (6.45%) each account for a disproportionately high number of residents working in this city.
Also, it is home to several significant companies, including the March Joint Powers Authority, the Riverside Community College District, and the Moreno Valley Unified School District.
The March Air Reserve Base is the city of Moreno Valley’s most significant employer, with more than 9,000 employees, followed by the Moreno Valley Unified School District, which employs 4,000 people. It is the second-largest employer in the region, showing how closely employment and education are connected.
Even though the region’s unemployment rate is 9.1% which is higher than the national average of 6%, it is still possible to get a job here that will allow you to support your family if you are positive and persistent.
Moreno Valley Has Many Job Opportunities for College Graduates
Moreno Valley is a beautiful place for college graduates to find jobs because it is in the center of many larger cities that offer significant opportunities.
Moreno Valley College is only one of many organizations like this.
Living here, you will also notice that the job market is expanding rapidly and that the town thrives on local businesses that can provide you with several employment chances.
When looking for a job, some great places to look are the local ads and the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce website. Moreno Valley staffing agencies are also excellent resources for finding a job in the city.
The Bad Side
It Continues to Lack Job Opportunities
Moreno Valley, a city in California, still lacks employment possibilities. Even though the town is continually increasing, there are not as many opportunities as in Los Angeles or New York.
The city is continually expanding and constructing. Lately, a tremendous increase in employment has happened because of the installation of Amazon warehouses by the city council.
However, youths in this area are only encouraged to work in warehouse jobs and not pursue higher-quality occupations.
Consequently, the per capita income in this city is $17,874 per year, which is lower middle income relative to California and significantly lower than the national average of $28,555 per year.
Moreno is a beautiful city with excellent weather and offers many fantastic opportunities for its residents. But this place is far from perfect because many difficulties can arise when you choose to live here.
Despite these difficulties, the city is a great place to live, and moving here could be your best option.