Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $1,985 for rent here. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Daniel Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
literally same
29 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Adam Watson
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Nora Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Sophia Adams
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Caleb
facts
2 upvotes
Oliver B.
great question, following
1 upvotes
Adeline E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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