Random thought, Poverty rate is 40.7%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a small town city with about 22,768 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. What do you all think? TIA! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Lydia Richardson
I work in legal here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Silas Walker
facts
38 upvotes
Madeline P.
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Dennis R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails 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 decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Bobby A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
raised_nathan38
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Connor Hall
Moved here from Austin about 2 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to community vibe but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Brielle Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
bella_runner
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
mountain_lucas33
facts
11 upvotes
Valentina Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Isla King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. consulting 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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