All Countries
Aubrey Bailey
moving
Is Lantana worth moving to in 2026?
Hey, Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
stllover2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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 software engineer, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
38 upvotes
Jayden
facts
37 upvotes
Levi H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Isla Phillips
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Mateo Perez
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Arianna Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Dallas about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Dallas about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Adeline King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Genesis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Mackenzie P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Jonathan Moore
lol so true
12 upvotes
Nicholas Phillips
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Madeline Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes