I think both San Marco and Riverside offer great car-lite lifestyles depending on your preferences. For me, a current San Marco resident, the only walkable amenities I make use of regularly are Jack Rabbits for a good show, River Road park, San Marco Theater and maybe a few of the sub shops nearby. It's always pleasant to go on a bike ride or a jog around here as well. If I went to the grocery store more, that would be a notable deficiency as the San Marco publix is pretty much dead for now.
Major pluses of San Marco- Downtown's just a skip away, as is Springfield & Riverside, upscale dining & shopping, more of a family friendly atmosphere if you're into that. Easy access to all points east and south.
Major pluses of Riverside - it feels more connected to the urban core area as i'm constantly waiting on trains, bridges or rush hour traffic on the interstate in San Marco. It sometimes takes 10-15 minutes to travel the short 2 miles to Riverside Not to mention the shops, pubs restaurants and numerous parks are more my style on that side of the river. I basically walked or biked everywhere over there, using my car even less than I do over here. But I digress, this is not a vs thread.
I will say that San Marco does feel a bit cleaner, safer even as I rarely hear the police sirens blazing as often as I did on Myra/Stockon st in riverside. Plus, I haven't gotten pulled over 3 times for going to the gas station at night like I did in Riverside
(my car looks like trouble I guess) But that's probably because I rarely see JSO on hendricks ave at night, or any other vehicles for that matter. Very quiet at night which I do enjoy.
It's really all personal choice as to which one is more suitable as both provide a great walkable enviornment. I don't think i could live anywhere else in town.
