I'm single, late 20s, and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,082 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Appreciate any input. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
29 upvotes
11 Replies
Axel Lee
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Kyle P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Gianna Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Maverick Campbell
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Carson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Owen Ramirez
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Zoey
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Adrian Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Austin about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Lisa B.
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
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