Hi all, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $324,900, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 4.4%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
12 upvotes
27 Replies
Robert Evans
thanks for sharing
40 upvotes
vegaspapa2020
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Delilah Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Jaxon Harris
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Logan Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from LA 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 Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
John Williams
couldn't agree more
36 upvotes
Julia Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Julian White
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Allison Torres
same here
33 upvotes
Isabella A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
Emilia Thompson
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great sushi places. it was the best decision I ever made.
28 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Alexander Clark
This.
21 upvotes
Gabriella C.
I've lived in East for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Lillian A.
preach
18 upvotes
Jacob Rogers
preach
17 upvotes
Isabella Collins
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Luke M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Stella Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Dallas about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
milwaukee_josiah
Came here for family and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Gianna W.
following this thread
8 upvotes
Naomi Martin
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Highland area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Ryan Perez
honestly same experience here
4 upvotes
Alice Chavez
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Matthew F.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Lily R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
1 upvotes
Leah
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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