Hi all, The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. What do you all think? Thanks! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Gabriel Cooper
literally same
35 upvotes
Naomi
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Waylon Kelly
The food scene here is average. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
32 upvotes
Claire Rodriguez
yep
30 upvotes
Rachel Y.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Evan Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Kayden Davis
literally same
27 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Paisley White
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
miamilife2026
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Brooks D.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Weston Mendoza
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Adeline Cruz
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
Ariana Patel
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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