Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 19 years and You can expect to pay around $1,698 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
30 upvotes
20 Replies
Wyatt M.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much competitive but now it's average.
37 upvotes
Sophia C.
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Hannah Garcia
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
Valentina Foster
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great BBQ places. it's been a really good experience overall.
27 upvotes
Naomi Bennett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Hunter Hughes
same here
19 upvotes
Elizabeth K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Zoe Mendoza
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Lucy Watson
great question, following
15 upvotes
Jace Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
14 upvotes
Theodore Phillips
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Madison O.
great question, following
13 upvotes
cool_autumn83
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
12 upvotes
Connor Ross
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. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Donna J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches 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 solid. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Dominic L.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
3 upvotes
Ella Scott
Saving this thread
2 upvotes
Nathan Morgan
100%
1 upvotes
Isabelle Sanchez
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
