Household incomes average around $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Bobby T.
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Hudson Myers
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Westside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Alexander L.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
26 upvotes
robert_girl
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Jacob Clark
facts
23 upvotes
Amber A.
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 Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
construction is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood schools are surprisingly 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. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Kayden Roberts
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Arianna Sanders
great question, following
17 upvotes
Mason D.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much wild but now it's average.
12 upvotes
Ezekiel Miller
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
11 upvotes
Ryan Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are surprisingly 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. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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