My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $955/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $229,600 on average. With a population of 7,249, Valley Falls is a small town. Median household income is $55,671, which feels about average for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Does this match your experience? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Kayden Wright
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
lake_bennett5
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Madeline Gray
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Asian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
38 upvotes
Charlotte Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Cooper B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Naomi C.
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Katherine G.
big facts right here
29 upvotes
Jameson N.
+1
28 upvotes
Willie W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Diego 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 Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Julia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Luke Brooks
100%
14 upvotes
Jose Rivera
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Thai places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
9 upvotes
Ethan Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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 underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Joseph Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
All Countries
