Hey, Just moved here 2 months ago and Homes are going for about $771,900 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,112 for rent here. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
22 upvotes
28 Replies
Samuel Lewis
yep
40 upvotes
Easton Rodriguez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Hannah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. West schools are pretty good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Jeremy J.
accurate
35 upvotes
Kennedy Gutierrez
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
daniel_fan
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Connor M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Asher King
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
28 upvotes
Leah Gomez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Brielle G.
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
desert_jose82
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 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 San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
jayden_vibes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
I've lived in Sunset for about 13 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Robert A.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
19 upvotes
Josiah R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Adrian A.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Claire H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Robert R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
James Scott
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Silas Stewart
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is average and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Gabriel Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Sunset schools are solid. 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. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Nevaeh
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Nashville it's challenging.
10 upvotes
Jayden Wood
thanks for sharing
9 upvotes
Roman Ruiz
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
6 upvotes
Kayden Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Jose Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
5 upvotes
isaiah_living
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
4 upvotes
Joseph Young
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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