Alright, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $92,550 in Richland. Am I wrong here?
24 upvotes
20 Replies
Delilah Garcia
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Santiago Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Lucas Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Declan Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Aiden M.
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, Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Arianna Campbell
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Lillian
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 LA, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Genesis Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Brooks Anderson
great question, following
17 upvotes
Hailey
literally same
14 upvotes
Paisley King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
13 upvotes
Madeline P.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Adeline
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
11 upvotes
Kennedy W.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's tough.
10 upvotes
fresno_daniel
great question, following
8 upvotes
Mateo James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 9 years. Moved from Houston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Allison Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Sofia Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Maverick Ortiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.