Been meaning to ask this. You can expect to pay around $1,567 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
26 upvotes
12 Replies
Peyton P.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Thai places. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Adeline Hill
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
oakland_luke
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Landon Hall
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Stella Mitchell
accurate
18 upvotes
isaac_fan
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Julian W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Leah Gomez
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Adam Ortiz
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Eleanor Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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 tough. 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. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.