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Cora Torres
living
Lake Forest is underrated, change my mind
OK so Poverty rate is 5.7%, which is pretty low. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
30 upvotes
3 Replies
Elijah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering 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 pretty good - we have ski resorts 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering 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 pretty good - we have ski resorts 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Madeline Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Lori E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes