I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 28,222 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. 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.
1 upvotes
17 Replies
Leo James
following this thread
40 upvotes
Bella Thomas
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
dcnative2021
+1
38 upvotes
Zoe
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good healthcare facilities
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. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
35 upvotes
Abigail Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 31, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Riverside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
34 upvotes
Nathan White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
phoenix_autumn
same here
29 upvotes
Victoria H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Natalie D.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's underrated.
19 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
John H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Lakewood 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Clara
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to safety but No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Nova Lee
nah I disagree
7 upvotes
Isabelle Lewis
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Nova T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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