Curious what people think. Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakewood Ranch sits at 665.8 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
26 upvotes
11 Replies
Isaac Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Samuel Moore
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Aurora G.
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Maya Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains 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 tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Mason Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Anna Jackson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Fairview area are decent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
15 upvotes
Eleanor Kim
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
Mason Bennett
Moved here from Austin about 7 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to food scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Carson James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Levi Rodriguez
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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