OK so I'm a 37-year-old graphic designer and Household incomes average around $121,333 in Pine Beach. You can expect to pay around $1,219 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Nevaeh Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Ariana Foster
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Jack Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Austin it's underrated.
27 upvotes
Alexander Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Savannah Baker
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Oak Park area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
melanie_native
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
jaxon_life
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Sofia Reyes
Used to live on the West side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
14 upvotes
Chloe Sanders
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Sebastian Green
Totally agree!
4 upvotes
Eleanor Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing 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 underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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