My partner and I are Household incomes average around $145,282 in Oceanside. Poverty rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 31,907 people. Homes are going for about $626,700 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Good schools
- Close to nature
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Far from major airports
- Homelessness issues downtown
It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
20 upvotes
10 Replies
sd_christian
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's decent.
33 upvotes
dc_christian
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Carl L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 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:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains 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 decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Isaac
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Andrew R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 14 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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