Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 36-year-old mechanic and Rent is about $1,039/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $357,300 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Low crime in most areas
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Homelessness issues downtown
Should I be concerned? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Carson C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Jace Alvarez
following this thread
37 upvotes
Ronald T.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much stable but now it's improving.
34 upvotes
Jack Turner
Moved here from Boston about 13 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Paul W.
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Addison M.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. 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 community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Cynthia W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Oliver Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Cooper Davis
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
14 upvotes
Alice C.
Moved here from Nashville about 8 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Ella Alvarez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Lydia Rogers
it depends on the neighborhood
12 upvotes
Melanie
I've lived in Lakewood for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Bella Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Everly Chavez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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