Homes are going for about $249,300 on average. The median home value here is around $249,300, which is actually reasonable. It's a a smaller city city with about 31,548 people. With a population of 31,548, Lakeside is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Easy commute
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Limited dining options
- Boring for young people
- Poor road conditions
Has anyone dealt with this? TIA! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Lucy Bailey
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Joe M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Declan Harris
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Daniel Martinez
+1
30 upvotes
Bennett James
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Arianna W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Hunter Morgan
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Mason Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 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:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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 very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
16 upvotes
Isla Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Jose Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
11 upvotes
Eva Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 48, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Sunset and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Genesis Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Levi R.
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Emily Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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