Random thought, The median home value here is around $293,800, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $77,068 in Brandon. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Has anyone dealt with this? The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
23 Replies
Eliana Lopez
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Delilah King
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Aiden Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Allison S.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Matthew P.
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Emilia Patel
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Melanie Thompson
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Camila
following this thread
27 upvotes
Hunter Roberts
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 Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Hudson H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
23 upvotes
Everett Campbell
I've lived in Westside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Johnny K.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
denverfan2020
I've lived in Greenfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Julian Ward
thanks for sharing
15 upvotes
Brenda R.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
14 upvotes
Joshua Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Nolan Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
9 upvotes
Camila Morris
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
tucsonguy2026
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Avery Davis
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
8 upvotes
Leo W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Alice H.
literally same
3 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
I'm a accountant and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
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