Random thought, Been living here since 2011. With a population of 1,648, Charlestown is a small town. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Would love some local perspective. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Christine R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's solid.
37 upvotes
Owen Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Joseph Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
27 upvotes
Joseph S.
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Mason B.
Moved here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Henry
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 San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. construction 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes 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 challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Austin Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 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:**
construction is strong here. legal 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. South 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Oliver Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Dylan Moore
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
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