Hi all, We're a young couple and Crime rate is something to consider — Elizabeth sits at 719.2 per 100K. Median household income is $63,874, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
30 upvotes
17 Replies
Sofia Scott
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Joseph Sanders
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 Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 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:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests 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 surprisingly good. 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. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Thomas Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Josiah Ward
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
32 upvotes
Jack Carter
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Asian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Mason Watson
this is the way
21 upvotes
Madison S.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
17 upvotes
John
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
11 upvotes
Sophia K.
Saving this thread
10 upvotes
Ryan
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Jessica M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Thomas Mendoza
not my experience at all
7 upvotes
Kinsley Torres
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Aaliyah Stewart
following this thread
5 upvotes
Carter P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Nolan Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
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