Random thought, Median household income is $72,867, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,199/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
26 upvotes
25 Replies
Delilah Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Mason D.
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 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 Portland, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Mateo Castillo
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Allison M.
great question, following
30 upvotes
Eliana Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Jeremiah
accurate
27 upvotes
Austin Jones
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
27 upvotes
Ella G.
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Rylee C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
23 upvotes
Betty G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
20 upvotes
Eric M.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Ellie Morales
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
austin_dude
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
13 upvotes
Hailey M.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Old Town area are tough. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Nora Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Albert J.
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
10 upvotes
Lillian Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
9 upvotes
Isabelle N.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Clara Ward
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Xavier
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
6 upvotes
Leonardo Garcia
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Eleanor
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Aaliyah Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
1 upvotes
Douglas M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails 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 better than expected. 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 public transit options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Andrew
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 47, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in The Heights and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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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