Hi all, I'm retired and Crime rate is something to consider -Englewood sits at 187.1 per 100K. With a population of 19,385, Englewood is a small town. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Emily S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Francisco it's improving.
34 upvotes
Elena Perez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Jameson Clark
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
jackson_heart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
22 upvotes
Naomi Baker
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Liam Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Cooper Kim
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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