As the largest city in California's Inland Empire metropolitan area, Riverside is at the center of a population of more than four million residents. As one of Money Magazine's choices for the Best Places to Live in America and with real estate prices significantly lower than one would find in other nearby communities, one can easily see why this is one of the United State's fastest growing cities. It also has a median age of only 29.3 and is listed as one of the fittest cities in America, meaning it is the perfect place for those just starting out in the world on their own. RiversideZip.com is a site dedicated to all of the things that make Riverside, California great, and is full of information for those thinking of making the move to the area or those who are simply on their way for a visit.

It's true that when looking for a home in California the price tags are going to be higher than in the majority of the country, but there are several advantages to living in this region. For those looking for higher education, there are three university campuses in the city: La Sierra University, California Baptist University and the University of California Riverside. The city is also full of plenty of career opportunities, with education, healthcare and government being the leading employers.

Those living in Riverside enjoy some of the best examples of several styles of architecture in the state. The Mission Inn is considered the largest example of Mission Revival style in the whole country, while the Riverside County Courthouse is in the Beaux-Arts style. The Riverside Renaissance Initiative is currently in the process of refurbishing the Historic Fox Theater, which held the first showing of the film classic Gone With the Wind.

Riverside also has its fair share of open space, with a variety of hills and mountains making up its landscape. An example of this is Mount Rubidoux, which sits beside the Santa Ana River and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region. Today, this hill is a great spot for residents who enjoy hiking and mountain biking.

Riverside really has it all for anyone looking to live in California without paying the high prices of a home along the coast. It is within an easy commute to Orange County and Los Angeles and sits as one of the most desirable cities in the nation.