Hey folks, Been living here since 2019. With a population of 29,603, Central is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
15 upvotes
23 Replies
Scott W.
seconding this
37 upvotes
Bradley B.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Michael Allen
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much manageable but now it's average.
35 upvotes
Brielle Ramos
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
Natalie H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Isabella J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is excellent in most areas.
33 upvotes
Eric M.
seconding this
30 upvotes
Weston Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Cooper Richardson
yep
26 upvotes
Isaac N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Westside schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Benjamin James
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Aaron Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
20 upvotes
Julia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Nolan Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
19 upvotes
Ezra D.
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Nicholas Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Baltimore it's decent.
18 upvotes
Madelyn B.
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Caleb Cox
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Luca Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Angela L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 15 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Maya Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Walter D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Scarlett Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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