Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 28,724 people. Homes are going for about $136,000 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
4 upvotes
11 Replies
Samuel Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
Evan B.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
37 upvotes
houston_noah
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Adam W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Vivian Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Piper Wilson
I'm a writer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Leo Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Liam Ward
I'm a social worker and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Mackenzie Turner
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
sd_naomi
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are average. Kids love it here.
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