Hey everyone, Rent is about $1,103/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Greyson Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. tough 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
30 upvotes
Logan Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 42, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Isaiah Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Parker L.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Melanie Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Lucy M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Maya M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Anna Castillo
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Scarlett Castillo
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Sophie Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Leo Hall
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's improving.
4 upvotes
Abigail Morales
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Greenfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Natalie G.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Westside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Landon M.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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