Curious what people think. I'm originally from Albuquerque and Homes are going for about $626,500 on average. With a population of 39,434, Lakewood Ranch is a smaller city. Median household income is $123,471, which feels pretty solid for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
28 upvotes
15 Replies
John Clark
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Aaliyah B.
preach
34 upvotes
Isaac Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Logan J.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Emilia M.
facts
26 upvotes
Theodore Hughes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Claire Jimenez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
kcgirl2020
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Raleigh it's underrated.
17 upvotes
Miles Lee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Logan Carter
great question, following
12 upvotes
Austin R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Meadowbrook schools are pretty good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
desert_ian68
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Christian Jimenez
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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