So, Poverty rate is 11.9%, which is around average. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
1 upvotes
11 Replies
Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Andrew Lee
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
33 upvotes
Jackson Miller
Totally agree!
28 upvotes
Serenity Cox
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Benjamin Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Roman Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
raised_natalie24
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Thai places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
22 upvotes
Grayson Perez
same here
13 upvotes
Emilia F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Naomi Bennett
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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