The unemployment rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $55,207 in Laurens. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Julian Ross
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Jameson Nelson
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Liam Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York 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 East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Santiago Turner
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Emmett C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
29 upvotes
Julia Jones
I work in real estate here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Debra K.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Ian Sanders
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Scarlett Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Santiago Bennett
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Andrew
Moved here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Autumn Harris
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's challenging.
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