Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $749 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Charlotte Hughes
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's tough.
35 upvotes
orlando_riley
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Joseph Collins
bump
26 upvotes
Ava C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Jaxon Lewis
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Amelia Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Julian K.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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