Longtime lurker here, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $282,700, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $61,822 in Buenaventura Lakes. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cheers.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Thomas Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Peyton Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
James Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Genesis Thompson
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's excellent.
30 upvotes
Naomi Hughes
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Jonathan Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
urban_delilah66
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Victoria M.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Julia Taylor
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Santiago Green
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
8 upvotes
Anna Walker
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Skylar T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Piper E.
lol so true
7 upvotes
Jacob C.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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