Rent is about $1,049/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
2 upvotes
23 Replies
Olivia K.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Joshua Foster
following this thread
32 upvotes
Natalie White
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Lydia J.
seconding this
29 upvotes
Cora Ruiz
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Declan Morris
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Rylee Gomez
nah I disagree
25 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Cooper Morgan
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Lydia H.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Delilah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Wesley
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Cora C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Scott W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jack Parker
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Victoria W.
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Jameson King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
happy_samuel70
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
spot on
12 upvotes
Josiah Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Jonathan
I'm a electrician and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Andrew Ward
couldn't agree more
2 upvotes
Harper
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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