My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $61,699 in Baytown. The unemployment rate is 5.8%, which is about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thoughts? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
3 Replies
Emilia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 35, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
31 upvotes
David T.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Rylee Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's excellent.