I work in marketing and Poverty rate is 8.4%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $78,438, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $351,500, which seems about average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I overthinking this? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
27 Replies
Hudson Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Jacqueline C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
37 upvotes
Brooks Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are pretty good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Lydia J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Danielle O.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Sarah G.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Ava
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Colton P.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
29 upvotes
Elijah Phillips
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Grayson Cruz
seconding this
24 upvotes
Arianna James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
24 upvotes
James L.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Emma M.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The traffic is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Grace Ross
hard disagree but ok
20 upvotes
Mia Mitchell
interesting, hadn't considered that
19 upvotes
Nova Richardson
I've lived in West for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Isaiah Thomas
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Alexa Bailey
I work in legal here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
John
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Weston Miller
facts
5 upvotes
John K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Luna Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Sarah Williams
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
tulsawalker2024
spot on
2 upvotes
Jaxon C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's improving.
2 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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