First post here. With a population of 24,051, Coral Terrace is a small town. Rent is about $1,707/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $77,396 in Coral Terrace. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to.
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Jameson T.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
everett_lover
I've lived in Lakewood for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
denver_dylan
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
27 upvotes
Kayden C.
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Riley Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Eugene P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
maverick_chef
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
13 upvotes
Roman Scott
honestly same experience here
7 upvotes
phoenixmind2026
100%
3 upvotes
Ellie Patel
facts
3 upvotes
Jose Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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