Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $92,400, which is actually reasonable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Matthew M.
+1
32 upvotes
Elena Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Nicholas
I'm a teacher and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Angel Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Sebastian S.
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Kennedy N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Peyton Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Miami, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
11 upvotes
Elizabeth Cook
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
9 upvotes
Axel White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Adrian C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Elijah Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails 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 hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
