Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,213 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Judy R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Jeffrey F.
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Ezra H.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
33 upvotes
Carson W.
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Brooks T.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
miami_miles
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Aria A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Rylee Collins
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great sushi places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Julia W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Adam Morales
Moved here from New York about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Ezekiel Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
mesaliving2023
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Carson Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
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