Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 111K people. Crime rate is something to consider -Costa Mesa sits at 273.6 per 100K. Household incomes average around $110,073 in Costa Mesa. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development.
27 upvotes
6 Replies
Logan Thompson
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
andrew_papa
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Brooks Price
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Grace Ramos
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Audrey Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers 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 underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
ruby_girl
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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