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Eva Bennett
jobs
Is South Whittier worth it salary-wise?
Hey, I'm a college student here and Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Angel Hughes
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
Carson Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Asher Scott
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
35 upvotes
ellie_chef
100%
34 upvotes
Nevaeh T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Emmett W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Lakewood schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Lakewood schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Grace T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Jose Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Victoria Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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 job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
28 upvotes
Isabella M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
21 upvotes
Kinsley
accurate
19 upvotes
Isaiah C.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
sacramento_weston
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Sunset area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
William Torres
accurate
16 upvotes
Kevin A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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 public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
15 upvotes
Isla Richardson
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's decent.
14 upvotes
Maverick C.
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
sunny_allison38
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Zoey M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Olivia C.
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Caroline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
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. Winters are long and cold
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
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. Winters are long and cold
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
8 upvotes
Savannah Baker
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Zoe Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Parker Morris
haha yep pretty much
2 upvotes
Wesley Morris
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
2 upvotes
Aurora Flores
haha yep pretty much
1 upvotes
Isabelle Reyes
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
0 upvotes