Curious what people think. Homes are going for about $114,600 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Oswego sits at 295.8 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
oakland_eleanor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 9 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government 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 pretty good - 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. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Hailey
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
wild_ezekiel38
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's improving.
32 upvotes
Aria C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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 improving. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Caleb
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.