Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
14 upvotes
19 Replies
Piper D.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Asher J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Adam O.
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
vegasvibes2021
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Aaliyah Nguyen
thanks for sharing
34 upvotes
Owen Johnson
100%
31 upvotes
Mia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Savannah Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
madelyn_fan
accurate
27 upvotes
columbus_eleanor
same here
24 upvotes
William
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Riley
this is the way
21 upvotes
Carson Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Denver about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Cynthia B.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Carolyn K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Adeline Hughes
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Jayden Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 30, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Emmett Hall
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
Isabella R.
I've lived in North for about 14 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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