Hi all, You can expect to pay around $1,746 for rent here. Average temperature is around 48°F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $85,789 in Lakewood. It's a a mid-size city city with about 156K people. Homes are going for about $548,200 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. Thanks! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Serenity S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 tough. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Kaylee R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Sunset schools are solid. 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 high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Naomi Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
eleanor_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Claire Campbell
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Adam
This.
21 upvotes
Serenity Cox
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Caleb H.
This.
12 upvotes
Olivia Bennett
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Kai Rogers
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Southern places. the quality of life is solid.
6 upvotes
Elizabeth Davis
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
All Countries
