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Vivian L. living

Lakeway quality of life -am I missing something?

Not sure if this has been asked before, but Median household income is $164,978, which feels pretty sol
14 upvotes

7 Replies

lucy_native
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Serenity S.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Gabriel Perez
great question, following
17 upvotes
Ian K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
Jace Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.

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.
8 upvotes
Sophia
underrated comment
6 upvotes
Anna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
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