I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 9.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Pekin sits at 412.1 per 100K. With a population of 31,812, Pekin is a smaller city. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
25 Replies
Aria Wood
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Jace Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Landon R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
lake_melanie49
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Brooklyn S.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Leo M.
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Amelia Wood
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
nashvilledude2025
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails 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 pretty good. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
atl_austin
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Chicago it's hit or miss.
25 upvotes
cool_adam97
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
grace_runner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited entertainment 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.
23 upvotes
Sebastian P.
following this thread
16 upvotes
Easton Perez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Carter Perez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Jace Collins
+1
11 upvotes
lake_delilah43
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
William
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government 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 surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are pretty good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Natalie Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Stella Garcia
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Maverick Nelson
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Jeremiah Mitchell
Moved here from Boston about 6 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to dating scene but Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Liam Brooks
not my experience at all
2 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Claire Bailey
This.
0 upvotes
Leonardo Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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