Hey folks, Poverty rate is 4.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 28,560, Temescal Valley is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
19 upvotes
25 Replies
Aurora Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
raleigh_genesis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
35 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Avery Jimenez
facts
32 upvotes
sarah_life
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
31 upvotes
native_easton54
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Robert Jones
I've lived in Meadowbrook 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Miles P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
24 upvotes
Bella Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
24 upvotes
Jacqueline C.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Lucas Kelly
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Adam Wilson
+1
23 upvotes
Ian Williams
big facts right here
22 upvotes
Cora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Michael Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 57, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
19 upvotes
Maya Ortiz
facts
19 upvotes
Henry Hernandez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Serenity B.
Bought a house here in 2022 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
15 upvotes
Charlotte Kelly
honestly same experience here
11 upvotes
Kinsley
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Hunter Nelson
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Noah Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
4 upvotes
Noah Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
3 upvotes
Violet Flores
Saving this thread
3 upvotes
vegas_arianna
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
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