I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $48,505, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 15.7%, which is higher than I expected. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Eric K.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in West area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Vivian L.
great question, following
38 upvotes
miamipapa2026
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
peyton_life
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Cora H.
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Leo Stewart
I work in healthcare here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Joshua Hall
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Boston it's underrated.
26 upvotes
Cooper H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Santiago Turner
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Kenneth H.
I work in retail here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Kinsley Morgan
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Lakewood area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Christian K.
I've lived in Downtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
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