I'm a 44-year-old software engineer and Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a small town city with about 3,355 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Kai Sanders
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
Sofia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Vincent A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Denver, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
27 upvotes
sffan2023
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
24 upvotes
Aubrey Williams
not my experience at all
24 upvotes
Mateo G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Maria W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Charlotte Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 7 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Riverside 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
austin_ruby
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Asher Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Jaxon
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Amelia Martinez
honestly same experience here
14 upvotes
Avery Martinez
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Thomas C.
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Luke Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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