Alright, Been living here since 2011. You can expect to pay around $1,330 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. With a population of 12,845, Lakeside is a small town. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Appreciate any input. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
sdheart2025
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Ella Brown
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
32 upvotes
Kennedy C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Avery
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
Bennett W.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Maverick Alvarez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Brooklyn Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Maya Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
James S.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
2 upvotes
Caleb Perez
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
dc_jose
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
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