Hi all, Been living here since 2011. Median household income is $77,602, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 77,396, Bellflower is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $661,100, which is pretty steep. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Noah Campbell
this is the way
30 upvotes
Jack
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
29 upvotes
Robert C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
18 upvotes
Samantha B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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 decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Allison L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
native_nicholas3
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much wild but now it's excellent.
10 upvotes
Willow C.
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Henry Gray
I've lived in Sunset for about 6 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 Chicago, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Allison Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
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