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Rylee Castillo
jobs
Is Wellesley worth it salary-wise?
Curious what people think. I'm originally from Phoenix and Worth the trade-offs? The suburbs are where most families end up.
19 upvotes
19 Replies
Violet Evans
big facts right here
39 upvotes
Maverick Baker
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
39 upvotes
Willow Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Quinn H.
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Kinsley W.
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Judith R.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Camila
preach
28 upvotes
greyson_guy
as a local I can confirm
28 upvotes
Quinn Morris
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Kayden P.
great question, following
26 upvotes
Emmett R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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 solid. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails 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 solid. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Leo S.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Camila K.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Carson White
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
20 upvotes
Grace Bailey
I work in tech here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
fresno_adam
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
7 upvotes
Victoria G.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes