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Bennett Rivera
best-worst
Worst things about Lakewood Ranch nobody talks about
Thoughts? Cheers. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Jack Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
40 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Ethan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Sadie Murphy
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is challenging in most areas.
31 upvotes
Ethan Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
urban_jayden56
seconding this
17 upvotes
Caleb Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Donna J.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
15 upvotes
Caleb Myers
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Waylon Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Maverick Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Miles S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Anna Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Allison Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes