So, Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 72°F, so it's warm year-round. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Would love some local perspective. Thanks for reading. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
12 upvotes
19 Replies
Victoria Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Violet Mendoza
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Aubrey Long
seconding this
28 upvotes
Karen T.
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Joseph Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Aria Lee
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Sadie Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Aiden Wright
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Madelyn
accurate
16 upvotes
Claire
not my experience at all
14 upvotes
Camila Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Gabriel N.
This.
12 upvotes
real_arianna5
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 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 affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Riverside schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Nolan Reed
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
9 upvotes
Cameron Chavez
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Matthew N.
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Avery N.
haha yep pretty much
1 upvotes
Kennedy Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's hit or miss.
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