Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $129,171, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $129,171 in Vestavia Hills. Rent is about $1,455/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Eva Carter
not my experience at all
40 upvotes
Emilia King
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Eli Harris
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Alexa Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Autumn G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 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 1-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Ella Hill
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Roman Adams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
23 upvotes
Ian Hall
100%
23 upvotes
Isla Morales
+1
18 upvotes
Daniel Price
I've lived in Lakewood for about 13 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 Nashville, I was surprised by housing market. 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 housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Dennis L.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Gianna Brooks
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Downtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Abigail W.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Samuel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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