Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $3,501/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $2,000,001 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts? Thanks in advance! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Isla Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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:**
construction is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. East 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
victoria_guy
literally same
36 upvotes
Roman Hall
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Walter C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Zoe J.
I work in retail here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Kennedy C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Zoe Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Clara Williams
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Isabella Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Leo Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Katherine J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to LA it's better than expected.
8 upvotes
philly_eliana
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
All Countries
