I relocated for work and The median home value here is around $186,700, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 22.0%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a small town city with about 15,935 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes
7 Replies
Jayden Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 LA, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
40 upvotes
Aaliyah W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami 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 Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Sebastian Collins
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Colton
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Jacob Turner
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Madelyn Green
literally same
8 upvotes
Oliver Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 35, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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