Random thought, I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this? The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Axel Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
39 upvotes
Adam Hall
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
37 upvotes
Mateo Ward
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Thomas Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
34 upvotes
Everly
I've lived in Lakewood for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Hannah P.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Hailey Diaz
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Albert F.
I work in education here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
indy_hunter
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Elena Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Gianna Johnson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Houston it's improving.
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