Curious what people think. My partner and I are The median home value here is around $208,000, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $766 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
25 Replies
Aaliyah Jones
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Riley Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Katherine Thompson
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Roger M.
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Ariana Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Angel Johnson
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Bennett M.
This.
18 upvotes
Brooks C.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
18 upvotes
mason_dude
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 27, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
17 upvotes
Martha S.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Olivia Lee
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Isaiah Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
15 upvotes
Willow M.
I work in government here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Charlotte G.
Came here for school and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Sofia Ortiz
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
Waylon G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
oakland_carson
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
Elena Adams
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Isaiah Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Cedar Grove schools are improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Easton Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Ezekiel
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Brielle
noted, appreciate it
3 upvotes
Jace P.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Eastside area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Maya Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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