Hey everyone, Median household income is $98,289, which feels pretty solid for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
14 upvotes
23 Replies
Sadie Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
John Walker
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Hunter Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Dylan
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Colton T.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
32 upvotes
Ian
following this thread
31 upvotes
Abigail F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
29 upvotes
Savannah King
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Alice Richardson
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Emily Flores
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Clara Evans
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
23 upvotes
chill_aaron49
not my experience at all
22 upvotes
urban_maverick83
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Korean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Noah C.
same here
17 upvotes
phoenixlocal2022
This.
16 upvotes
Mason Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Lawrence W.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Sadie M.
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Aurora Harris
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Joe R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Lucy C.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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