Hey, I'm single, late 30s, and Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $281,700 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,414 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Sebastian sits at 72.4 per 100K. Household incomes average around $68,863 in Sebastian. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
2 upvotes
18 Replies
Hazel Jackson
This.
37 upvotes
Isla
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
37 upvotes
Stella Bennett
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Madeline Rogers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Samuel
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Ezra Ramirez
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Bella L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Joshua G.
bump
23 upvotes
Maverick Cooper
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
Camila Jackson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
nashville_jacob
Moved here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Ashley R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Eric R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Charlotte it's improving.
16 upvotes
carter_guy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
atl_connor
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
Liam G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
4 upvotes
Ezra Bennett
lol so true
4 upvotes
Hunter Bennett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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