OK so The median home value here is around $422,700, which is pretty steep. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
3 upvotes
6 Replies
Owen G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Mason
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Anna Ramirez
I work in healthcare here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Judy T.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
11 upvotes
Camila S.
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Lucy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..