Anyone else feel this way? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
18 upvotes
26 Replies
Gary J.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Skylar Reed
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Ruby Thomas
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Asher Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 49, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. average 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 Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Stella Long
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
cool_cora80
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
milwaukee_landon
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Daniel James
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
kc_axel
100%
26 upvotes
Santiago Rodriguez
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Matthew H.
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Anna
I'm a software engineer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Samuel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
21 upvotes
Kinsley Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Ellie
I'm a HR manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
nola_luna
interesting, hadn't considered that
20 upvotes
Parker G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Madeline Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Greyson Allen
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Jose Wood
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Asher Bailey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
13 upvotes
Martha S.
I work in marketing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Theodore
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Logan Foster
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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