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Ezekiel
living
Is North Weeki Wachee getting better or worse?
Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Austin T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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. Limited public transit options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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. Limited public transit options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jose Wright
seconding this
40 upvotes
Ariana Murphy
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Serenity Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
oakland_sadie
Used to live on the South side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
24 upvotes
Violet N.
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Robert R.
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
Oliver H.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Richard M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
tulsalover2020
Moved here from Denver about 4 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Nathan B.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Audrey Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Valentina
Moved here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes