Been meaning to ask this. It's a a smaller city city with about 37,559 people. Median household income is $59,457, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $154,900 on average. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What do you all think? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
30 upvotes
10 Replies
Mia Evans
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Landon Martin
I've lived in East for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
lake_miles39
bump
37 upvotes
Zoe Turner
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
William A.
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Alexis D.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ryan Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Robert C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver 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 Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Colton
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Phoenix it's underrated.
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