Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and It's a a mid-size city city with about 112K people. Median household income is $87,400, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $87,400 in Downey. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -Downey sits at 313.4 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Worth the trade-offs? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
16 upvotes
7 Replies
Gabriella Jimenez
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Eva R.
This.
27 upvotes
Nathan C.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
20 upvotes
Grace Lee
following this thread
20 upvotes
Harper Diaz
lol so true
15 upvotes
Theodore Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Kai Ortiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
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