First post here. Military spouse here. With a population of 31,113, Lawndale is a smaller city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Jackson Edwards
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to safety but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Adam Miller
facts
34 upvotes
Gabriella Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Chicago it's improving.
32 upvotes
David K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - 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 housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Maverick C.
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Christian C.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Joseph Morgan
yep
20 upvotes
Jeremiah Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
17 upvotes
Harold D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Easton Rivera
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Kayden M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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