So, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 4.4%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 60°F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $1,527,900 on average. Rent is about $2,985/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. 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.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- Walkable downtown
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
Does this match your experience? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
26 upvotes
14 Replies
Katherine A.
not my experience at all
39 upvotes
Gabriel Nguyen
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Vivian Turner
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
34 upvotes
Samuel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Willow M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Brooklyn Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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:**
legal 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Pine Hills 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Daniel Ramos
I've lived in Downtown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Ellie Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Hunter Murphy
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Luna Cox
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Aurora W.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Lily Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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