Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and You can expect to pay around $1,071 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. TIA! There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Lydia Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jackson Johnson
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
40 upvotes
Kayla O.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Amelia Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
25 upvotes
Roy R.
I've lived in Westside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Quinn R.
Saving this thread
23 upvotes
Kevin R.
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Sadie R.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
10 upvotes
Carter Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from New York about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Lillian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Isla C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
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