Hey, Rent is about $1,455/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Brooklyn Davis
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Evelyn B.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much pricey but now it's improving.
35 upvotes
Aaron M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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
Jack Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Bella Ward
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Bella Jackson
I'm a teacher and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Jack Richardson
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Caroline S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
22 upvotes
Rylee Cook
preach
15 upvotes
Connor Ward
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The traffic is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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