Alright, Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $397,400, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $397,400 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,863 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
7 upvotes
25 Replies
Brooks Jimenez
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Jose W.
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Daniel S.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Benjamin P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Adrian Young
I've lived in Riverside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Lily G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
31 upvotes
wild_vivian38
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Benjamin James
I'm a project manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Elena Garcia
Bought a house here in 2022 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
28 upvotes
Julia Sanchez
lol so true
28 upvotes
Caleb Cruz
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
Scarlett Mitchell
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
21 upvotes
Ezra Price
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Jameson Ross
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
18 upvotes
Paisley R.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
17 upvotes
Jace Hughes
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
16 upvotes
Isaac Alvarez
Moved here from New York about 14 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to dating scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Violet Perez
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Camila Wood
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Ian Gomez
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Emmett Robinson
great question, following
9 upvotes
Ann R.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
been saying this for years
6 upvotes
Riley Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail 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 decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are surprisingly 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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