Random thought, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $100,300, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 52.7%, which is higher than I expected. Homes are going for about $100,300 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Sophie
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Robert Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Ruby Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Arianna P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Isabella Gonzalez
yep
33 upvotes
Anna B.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
I'm a project manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Alexander Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
Skylar Foster
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Olivia Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Fairview 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. Nightlife is limited. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Arianna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Arianna Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Dominic Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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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