Hello, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $1,141 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
11 Replies
Olivia Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
30 upvotes
Noah Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Nancy L.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
24 upvotes
Marilyn R.
Saving this thread
23 upvotes
Scarlett M.
I've lived in The Heights for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
miamirunner2022
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Adeline Alvarez
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Dominic Long
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Leo Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
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