Salt Lake City vs. Riverside

Riverside vs. Salt Lake City

Great Cities for the Great Outdoors: Deciding between Riverside and Salt Lake City for Your New Home

If you’re dreaming of a second home to enjoy more time in the great outdoors, the sunny southern California vibe of Riverside, CA and the year-round seasonal variety Salt Lake City offer unique appeals. Both offer all the amenities of city life along with easy access to mountains, desert, and other unique geographic areas, making them appealing options for those ready to explore a change of scenery. If you're deciding between Riverside and Salt Lake City for your next residence, read on for details about culture, food and weather to help you choose.

Riverside vs. Salt Lake City Culture

Riverside’s rich cultural heritage, is shaped by its history as the ancestral land of the Cahuilla and Serrano people and the legacy of its 1870 founding by John W. North, who wanted to build a colony dedicated to education and culture. That history is alive on the campus of the University of California Riverside, at the iconic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa and at the beautiful Riverside Fox Theater—famous as the site of the very first preview screening of 1939’s Gone With the Wind. For nature lovers, nearby Mount Rubidoux hosts a historic annual Easter sunrise service, and is also popular for hiking and bouldering, and the less adventurous can enjoy strolls in the Frederick Law Olmstead-designed Fairmount Park.

Salt Lake City too has a unique history as the home of the Ute and Shoshone Native American tribes followed by its official founding in 1847 by Brigham Young as a refuge for his fellow Mormons from religious persecution. Today the city is still dominated by Mormon culture but also boasts a dynamic arts scene, vibrant community spirit, and access to stunning natural features like the Great Salt Lake and world-class skiing at nearby Park City. Visitors and residents can dive into the area’s history at the Heritage Village of This is The Place Heritage Park or the iconic Temple Square or head up to the foothills for live music or a stroll through the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum. The city's renowned performing arts venues, including the Utah Symphony and Ballet West, showcase local talent and international performers, while annual events like the Sundance Film Festival attract film enthusiasts from around the world.

Riverside vs. Salt Lake City Food

Riverside’s history as a hub of citrus groves and farm-fresh California cuisine is alive in a vibrant food scene that includes everything from authentic Mexican street food to a wide array of Asian foods brought by a diverse immigrant population to a growing brewery and gastropub scene. Food trucks are popular too and reflect the diversity of the city, thriving college student culture and innovative approach to culinary options.

While Salt Lake City still has a reputation shaped by its Mormon influences with their church picnics and aversion to caffeine and alcohol, the modern city is alive with a thriving restaurant scene that draws from its Native American influences with Navajo Tacos and the local specialty of Utah scones—deep fried dough with honey butter. To really get a sense of all SLC has to offer consider a food-centered walking tour that will introduce you to the city’s must-eat locations while weaving in details about local history, architecture and more.

Riverside vs. Salt Lake City Weather

Riverside has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Residents can expect plenty of sunshine, allowing outdoor activities and recreation year-round. The city is prone to occasional heatwaves, drought conditions, and the risk of wildfires in the surrounding chaparral landscape. Riverside's proximity to outdoor recreational areas like Mount San Jacinto State Park and the Santa Ana River offer plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the pleasant weather while enjoying hiking, biking, and exploring the countryside.

In contrast, Salt Lake City experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters—perfect for every kind of outdoor fun! Salt Lake City's proximity to world-class ski resorts like Park City and Snowbird makes it a haven for winter sports enthusiasts and the city's stunning natural surroundings, including the Great Salt Lake and nearby national parks, provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.

Bottom Line

Whether you're drawn to Riverside's cultural heritage and outdoor lifestyle or Salt Lake City's unique history and natural beauty, Chase can help you achieve your dream of a second home in a stunning new environment. Chase Home Lending Advisors will make sure you’re prepared, from reviewing your credit score and helping you qualify for a second mortgage. Deciding between Salt Lake City and Riverside is the hard part—from there, let Chase help you make your second home dream a reality.