Hello, I'm retired and With a population of 10,491, Forest Acres is a small town. Homes are going for about $260,500 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
atlvibes2024
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Logan T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
proud_camila95
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Michael Phillips
yep
20 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 29, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Kennedy E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Owen Cook
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
Sofia Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Joseph Gutierrez
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Walter R.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Angel G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Julia B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts 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 decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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