I would like to write a sentence similar as follows but after a Google search, I noticed using the verb to reach could make the sentence sound unnatural. So which verbs can I use instead of the verb *to reach*?

> 
> It took centuries *to reach* to high standard of living we have today.
> 
> 
> It took centuries *to reach* to high (level) quality of life we have
>  today.
> 
> 
>