Curious what people think. We have two kids and Median household income is $120,279, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $603,700, which is pretty steep. Household incomes average around $120,279 in New River. Crime rate is something to consider -New River sits at 148.1 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
4 upvotes
5 Replies
Lydia Ramos
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Lily M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Michael K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Stephen W.
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor recreation is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Allison
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 38, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
All Countries
