Longtime lurker here, I work in media and The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Does this match your experience? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Aaliyah Morales
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Meadowbrook area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Kai Brown
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Claire
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Seattle 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 Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
parker_mama
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
nah I disagree
11 upvotes
Adrian M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Aubrey R.
thanks for sharing
9 upvotes
Luke
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Piper Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Downtown 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
rylee_local
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Emilia Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Charlotte Collins
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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