Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 5.0%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,275/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? TIA! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
30 upvotes
24 Replies
dallasheart2020
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Alexander B.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Austin Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Greenfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
gabriel_life
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Aubrey Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
David G.
seconding this
33 upvotes
Eleanor S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
32 upvotes
Leo Nguyen
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Jeremiah Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Meadowbrook area are solid. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Addison Hughes
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
matthew_lover
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
22 upvotes
Emilia Rivera
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Grayson Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Diego about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Victoria Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jace Hill
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Donna S.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Carter L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Kai
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
raised_natalie24
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
11 upvotes
Wesley Garcia
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
9 upvotes
Maverick Foster
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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