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Jace Reyes best-worst

Worst things about Lakeland Village nobody talks about

Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while.
10 upvotes

13 Replies

Noah T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.

Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is decent.

Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Logan Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
33 upvotes
Lillian Peterson
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Kayden J.
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Samuel Brooks
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Cameron Baker
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is improving

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Evan Young
Moved here from Portland about 1 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Alexander S.
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Ella G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Jack Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
5 upvotes
Evelyn Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Emma W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
1 upvotes
Amelia Diaz
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
0 upvotes
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