Alright, It's a a small town city with about 5,688 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Any help is appreciated. The city has invested a lot in new development.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Aaliyah Cook
+1
37 upvotes
Jayden Reed
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Hazel J.
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Douglas R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Parker Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Olivia J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 38, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
17 upvotes
Jack S.
This.
12 upvotes
Jack S.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Zoey Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Cameron
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Luke Lopez
interesting, hadn't considered that
1 upvotes
Ella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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