Riverside is cheap, and you get what you pay for. I lived there for about 3 years and it was just fine. Lots of parties and craziness at the pools...especially with the Jacuzzis, and you have to get a place with a jacuzzi, otherwise it doesn't suck, it sucks giant monkey balls. If you drive a newer rice burner, pick-up, or SUV, assume that it will be broken into. I drove an 86 Dodge Caravelle with 167k mi and left the windows down all the time unless it was gonna rain. I didn't leave anything valuable in the car at all, and it was just fine. You have just as much, if not more, property crime on West campus, and you can get a much better place for the money than on North Campus. To really maximize your utility get a motorcycle and an M permit. You can park just about anywhere on campus, and you don't have to worry about the bus.
Also, if you move there, get your beer at the Albertson's. It costs a bit more, (look for sales on friday/sat) but it's kept behind closed doors so it's always ice cold.