Hey, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $56,509 in West Miami. The median home value here is around $436,700, which is pretty steep. With a population of 7,077, West Miami is a small town. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Close to nature
- Diverse community
- Low taxes
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Not very walkable
- Limited cultural events
- Chain restaurants dominate
Does this match your experience? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Owen G.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
39 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
spot on
39 upvotes
Piper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
35 upvotes
Zoey Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Harper Diaz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
30 upvotes
Kai P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Everett M.
I've lived in Eastside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Declan Scott
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Rylee Collins
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Alexander L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Alice Moore
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Axel Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
henry_local
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 12 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
