Hey folks, I relocated for work and Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $104,643 in Tea. With a population of 6,339, Tea is a small town. Rent is about $1,113/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Tea? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
8 Replies
Alexa Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Joshua O.
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are average. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Riley
accurate
19 upvotes
Elizabeth Martinez
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
bostonmama2021
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
John Harris
lol so true
0 upvotes
Ryan L.
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 Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. marketing 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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