Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $203,100 on average. With a population of 35,924, Lauderdale Lakes is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
30 upvotes
27 Replies
Hailey Parker
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. school system used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Jameson Castillo
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Westside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Violet James
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Sofia James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
35 upvotes
Emmett White
yep
35 upvotes
Miles Flores
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Zoey Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Scarlett Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Miami about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Leonardo
great question, following
31 upvotes
Dylan Hill
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
hazel_native
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
alice_papa
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Baltimore it's tough.
27 upvotes
Bella Clark
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Emma Reed
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
John C.
this is the way
24 upvotes
Josiah Williams
following this thread
23 upvotes
Avery Evans
I'm a chef and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Noah C.
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Roman Hill
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Olivia Perez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Kelly S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 31, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
10 upvotes
Skylar T.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
10 upvotes
Wyatt Kelly
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is tough in most areas.
7 upvotes
Grace Ramos
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
1 upvotes
Scarlett
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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