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Abigail Davis
best-worst
Biggest downsides of living in Redlands?
Anyone else feel this way? Worth the trade-offs?
2 upvotes
8 Replies
boston_easton
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Weston Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
19 upvotes
Oliver
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 Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Lakewood 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Lakewood 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
stl_logan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Brian R.
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
Nora N.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Amelia W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
kennedy_life
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
2 upvotes