Alright, I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 88,531 people. Crime rate is something to consider -San Leandro sits at 502.8 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective.
3 upvotes
9 Replies
minneapolis_robert
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Eva Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Caroline N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Genesis Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 improving. 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 safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Claire Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in The Heights and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Bennett Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
19 upvotes
Jack Parker
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Joshua R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
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