Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $52,251, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks for reading. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
46 upvotes
6 Replies
William Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 surprisingly 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Jackson Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Serenity Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from LA for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Wyatt
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is solid in most areas.
18 upvotes
Dominic G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is average in most areas.
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