First post here. It's a a smaller city city with about 93,525 people. You can expect to pay around $1,601 for rent here. Homes are going for about $546,700 on average. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Let me know your thoughts. Cheers. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
12 upvotes
27 Replies
Josiah Ruiz
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
40 upvotes
Victoria W.
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Hailey Foster
same here
38 upvotes
Nicholas H.
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Ryan James
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Everett Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 40, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
William
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Sarah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Diane S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Scarlett Castillo
hard disagree but ok
30 upvotes
Nova S.
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
kc_david
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Boston 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Landon M.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Addison R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
18 upvotes
Elena Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
15 upvotes
Julian G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
13 upvotes
Audrey Martin
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Piper Jones
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Avery Reyes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Axel Wilson
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Maya R.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
Angela L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Ezekiel Cruz
exactly what I was thinking
2 upvotes
Jordan L.
following this thread
1 upvotes
Jaxon
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..