@redbinbun What kind of writing are you interested in doing?
If lit fic or poetry, you’re probably fine either way. If genre fiction, you will need to investigate both programs very carefully. Genre fiction is often - not always, mind you, but often - poorly regarded in academic creative writing programs.
UCR happens to be the home of a large and well respected sci-fi library, but I’m not sure if that love carries over into the English department.
If genre fiction isn’t your thing, no problem. But if it is, you’ll need to find something more akin to the Professional Writing program at Gaylord College at OU.
UCR is bordered by Canyon Crest (an upscale area) and a commercial / industrial area and some working class neighborhoods on the other. It’s hot, dusty and sometimes smoggy, but so is LA. Riverside has a small but decent downtown area with restaurants, cute shops, movie theaters, etc. I’ve never felt unsafe, but I also wasn’t out super late at night.