Hey everyone, Median household income is $78,921, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 18,493 people. You can expect to pay around $1,737 for rent here. Household incomes average around $78,921 in Panama City Beach. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Mia Kim
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
35 upvotes
Ariana Bennett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Alice Gonzalez
spot on
24 upvotes
Levi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Asher Hughes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Alexa Murphy
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Jackson Moore
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much developing but now it's tough.
13 upvotes
Kyle R.
following this thread
11 upvotes
Zoe Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Grace Collins
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Ella Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Valentina Kim
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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