First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Belford sits at 138.1 per 100K. Household incomes average around $121,406 in Belford. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Would love some local perspective. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Luca Castillo
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
40 upvotes
Piper Taylor
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
nycguy2026
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The dating scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Mateo H.
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Sophia Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Chloe Cook
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 Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Logan Alvarez
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Nathan L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Paisley Hill
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Serenity Ross
Moved here from Seattle about 6 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Caleb R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
5 upvotes
Jackson Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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