Hey folks, Just moved here 1 months ago and It's a a smaller city city with about 67,765 people. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $514,800, which is pretty steep. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Has anyone dealt with this? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
0 upvotes
25 Replies
Wesley Taylor
same here
37 upvotes
Eli W.
preach
37 upvotes
Victoria R.
lol so true
37 upvotes
Luna Roberts
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Emilia P.
accurate
36 upvotes
Emilia Parker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
sunny_carson60
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Everly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Luca Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 39, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Jose White
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's excellent.
31 upvotes
tulsapapa2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Julia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is tough in most areas.
29 upvotes
fresnowalker2025
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Kayden Collins
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Thomas Cook
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Emilia Wright
seconding this
15 upvotes
Leonardo Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Charlotte S.
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Daniel Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Marilyn S.
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Eva H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Jayden Reed
exactly what I was thinking
8 upvotes
Hudson P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Natalie
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Isaac Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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