Alright, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 70--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $56,875 in Chalmette. You can expect to pay around $1,089 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Madeline Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Sophie Brown
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
Luna Thomas
lol so true
32 upvotes
Joshua
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.
28 upvotes
Jeremiah Carter
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Landon T.
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Ethan Brown
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Wesley
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
sdkid2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Parker
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
James M.
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.