🎓 Best Places to Live Near UC Riverside (UCR)
🏡 A Local Guide to Living in Riverside, CA
For Students, Scholars, Families & Professionals
If you’re considering a move to Riverside, CA, you’ll find a variety of neighborhoods that offer safety, charm, and excellent access to hiking trails, shopping centers, and cultural spots. Whether you’re a student at UC Riverside, a PhD researcher, a visiting scholar, a growing family, or a working professional, this guide highlights the best areas to call home.
Living near UCR isn’t just about convenience—it can transform your academic and personal life. From quiet, nature-filled communities to vibrant, student-centered zones, here’s a neighborhood breakdown to help you find the perfect fit.
🐴 Backside of UCR (Watkins Dr & Blaine St): The Peaceful Academic Zone
Looking for a quiet, safe place to study and relax? This lesser-known part of Riverside is beloved by PhD students, postdocs, and professors. You’ll enjoy low traffic, direct access to Box Springs Reserve, and a nearby health food store with fresh, organic options.
Plus, don’t be surprised if you spot a few wild donkeys grazing in the foothills—it’s a local treat!
Highlights:
Safe and serene
Great for hiking and unwinding
Close to grocery stores and nature trails
⚠️ University Avenue Corridor: Budget-Friendly, but Be Cautious
This area is as close as you can get to UCR, with plenty of apartment complexes, take-out restaurants, and nightlife. It’s popular among undergrads for its affordability and convenience.
That said, it also has a higher concentration of homelessness and can feel less safe at night. Keep safety in mind and look for secure, gated buildings if choosing to live here.
Highlights:
Very close to campus
Affordable and walkable
Be mindful of safety, especially after dark
🏢 Student Housing Complexes: Amenities at a Premium
Student-focused housing complexes offer everything from resort-style pools to coworking lounges. They're typically modern, furnished, and conveniently located. However, you’ll pay a premium—and the noise level is something to consider.
Highlights:
Fully furnished units with extras like gyms and pools
Lease terms aligned with academic schedules
Ideal for social students and short-term stays
👨👩👧👦 Canyon Crest: A Residential Retreat for Grad Students & Faculty
Just a few minutes’ drive from campus, Canyon Crest is known for its upscale feel and serene environment. It’s particularly ideal for graduate students, researchers, and small families who prefer a quieter atmosphere while still enjoying nearby restaurants, hiking trails, and even Trader Joe’s.
Highlights:
Clean, quiet, and upscale
Great shopping center (Canyon Crest Towne Centre)
Ideal for long-term academic residents
🗺️ Visual Aid: Map of Riverside Neighborhoods
(Insert graphic/map here showing proximity to UCR, grocery stores, and key attractions)
Color-coded zones: Student Life, Nature Access, Quiet Residential
Highlight locations: UCR, Philadelphia Housing, Mission Grove Plaza, Box Springs Park
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for convenience, community, or quiet nature retreats, Riverside has a neighborhood for you. For UCR students, faculty, and families alike, each area offers its own unique rhythm—and finding the right one can truly elevate your day-to-day life.
Looking to lease in one of Riverside’s top communities? Learn more here!
📞 Contact us today to book a tour of Philadelphia Housing and nearby options!
🐴 Want to Live by Wild Donkeys AND Go to UCR? You’ve Found the Spot.
Yes, it’s real—and yes, it’s magical.
Riverside is home to a friendly group of wild donkeys that roam the hills near Box Springs Mountain Park, just behind UC Riverside. These gentle locals have become beloved by students, hikers, and nature lovers alike.
If you're looking for a place to live where you can walk to class and still wake up to nature, this is it.
Live close enough to campus and spot wild donkeys on your morning hike? Only in Riverside.
📍 Another reason Philadelphia Housing Apartments is the perfect home base.
