Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $138,700, which is actually reasonable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? Thanks! The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Isaiah Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Zoe Baker
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great sushi places. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Scarlett Allen
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Elijah Williams
100%
34 upvotes
Eli T.
I've lived in Riverside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
sunny_avery32
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Danielle H.
yeah no that's not right
26 upvotes
Ezra M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Lauren J.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
Noah Parker
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. finance 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are pretty 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Parker
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Pamela K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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