OK so I'm retired and Poverty rate is 12.6%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
37 upvotes
25 Replies
Adeline
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Carter Sanchez
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Maya Gomez
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Christian L.
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Hazel Davis
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Piper
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Mary A.
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Scott C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests 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 excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jordan Y.
preach
25 upvotes
Piper H.
seconding this
25 upvotes
Maverick Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Meadowbrook schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Chloe King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (The Heights) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
20 upvotes
Noah L.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Alice
I work in legal here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Melanie C.
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
Emmett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Sofia
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Levi Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Colton T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Houston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Zoe Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 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. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
dallas_nicholas
same here
15 upvotes
Isaiah Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Harper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Midtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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