Hello, I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $1,694/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $484,600 on average. It's a a major city city with about 525K people. Average temperature is around 61°F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Strong sense of community
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited nightlife
- Boring for young people
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
81 upvotes
6 Replies
Jace Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 13 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Sunset schools are surprisingly 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Liam Smith
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Kaylee
preach
30 upvotes
Benjamin Cook
Moved here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Santiago Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. Lakewood schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Connor Hall
I've lived in Eastside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
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