Hey, Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $255,700 on average. The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $1,426 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Melanie Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Denver about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Ellie Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Mason
Bought a house here in 2022 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
Leo Sanchez
great question, following
19 upvotes
Aurora
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
14 upvotes
Arianna Brown
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Madeline Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Allison Collins
underrated comment
6 upvotes
Benjamin Ramos
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Amelia Peterson
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
4 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Vivian 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 8 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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