All Countries
Eli B.
moving
Couple moving to Apple Valley from out of state
Anyone else feel this way? I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Thanks!
14 upvotes
20 Replies
Frank M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - 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 hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - 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 hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Mason
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
nyc_william
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Violet Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Parker Stewart
bump
27 upvotes
Ryan Edwards
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Piper C.
This.
22 upvotes
Thomas King
This.
21 upvotes
Cora K.
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. 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 housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. 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 housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Tyler T.
great question, following
19 upvotes
Steven S.
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Reagan M.
literally same
15 upvotes
Luke Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Angel Smith
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Mia Murphy
yep
9 upvotes
Hudson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Ian T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Jayden M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
cool_lucy29
noted, appreciate it
4 upvotes
Brooks
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes