Hey folks, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 1.1%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. TIA! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
15 upvotes
26 Replies
Hazel Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
38 upvotes
Denise T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Kayden James
Moved here from Boston about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Lucy Lewis
Bought a house here in 2015 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
bump
30 upvotes
Sofia Torres
Moved here from San Diego about 12 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Hudson J.
spot on
26 upvotes
Leah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Naomi Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Paisley Hill
I work in government here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Parker L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Delilah Bennett
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
philly_emilia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
17 upvotes
nycpapa2025
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Emily Flores
I work in engineering here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Robert A.
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Brooks S.
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Zoey
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
12 upvotes
Chloe Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
9 upvotes
isaac_mind
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
9 upvotes
abigail_kid
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Maverick Mitchell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
7 upvotes
Landon Chavez
I've lived in East for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Hailey
preach
5 upvotes
Mason Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
