OK so I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 88,822 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
16 upvotes
27 Replies
Sofia Lopez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Austin
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
Maverick Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Michael
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 Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Riley Evans
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Genesis Kelly
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
John W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Nora Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
24 upvotes
Sebastian Gray
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Kayden M.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Carter M.
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Isla White
honestly same experience here
18 upvotes
Henry
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Ruby Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Cameron Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing is strong here. marketing 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are pretty 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Isabella Hughes
accurate
14 upvotes
Aurora Gray
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Luca Young
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
12 upvotes
Arianna F.
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Jayden Collins
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Emmett A.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Brielle Martinez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
7 upvotes
Delilah W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
6 upvotes
desert_amelia89
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Lydia Gray
exactly what I was thinking
5 upvotes
Matthew Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
4 upvotes
Benjamin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 48, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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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