Hello, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 7.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Weston Ward
I've lived in Sunset for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Scarlett R.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
David Evans
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
26 upvotes
Gabriella M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Evan
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Kai
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great seafood places. it was the best decision I ever made.
20 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Elijah Torres
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Violet Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Savannah Mitchell
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
10 upvotes
Aubrey Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Theodore Castillo
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much wild but now it's improving.
8 upvotes
Melanie Carter
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Luna Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
All Countries
