Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $2,273/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $158,526, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Nova Bailey
I'm a social worker and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
native_zoey6
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
Brooks Taylor
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Audrey Wilson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
35 upvotes
Weston Miller
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
wild_ezekiel89
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
25 upvotes
nathan_native
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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