Not sure if this has been asked before, but I work in marketing and You can expect to pay around $1,453 for rent here. Rent is about $1,453/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
16 upvotes
12 Replies
Logan Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Sophie
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. 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 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Lakewood 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Daniel Thomas
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Madeline A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Atlanta it's tough.
33 upvotes
Grace
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
29 upvotes
Autumn
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Anna J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Michael Davis
underrated comment
14 upvotes
real_hailey24
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
12 upvotes
Austin J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
sd_amelia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Isaac
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 40, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 LA, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
All Countries
