First post here. Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Clemmons sits at 712.4 per 100K. Household incomes average around $84,326 in Clemmons. It's a a small town city with about 21,574 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What are your go-to spots? Any help is appreciated. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Caleb Carter
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
wild_peyton71
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
36 upvotes
Isaac Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Xavier H.
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Aiden G.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
28 upvotes
Ian B.
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Alexa Baker
Moved here from San Diego about 5 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Jaxon E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's solid.
15 upvotes
Peyton
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Joseph Hughes
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
12 upvotes
Roman Long
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Leonardo
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Weston
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The dating scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..