I'm retired and Median household income is $102,303, which feels pretty solid for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
5 upvotes
6 Replies
Eli King
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Francisco it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Eva Gomez
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
sunny_everly88
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Colton Price
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Dylan Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Riverside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
7 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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