OK so I'm a college student here and Crime rate is something to consider -Cherry Valley sits at 417.0 per 100K. Poverty rate is 6.3%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Hannah T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Bryan C.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Audrey Gray
wish I knew this sooner
29 upvotes
Parker Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 41, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
28 upvotes
Emilia Phillips
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Stella R.
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
nycchef2023
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
tucson_easton
I'm a contractor and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Peyton Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
river_noah73
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
proud_christian22
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Joshua Clark
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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