Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $144,799, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Cheers.
0 upvotes
23 Replies
Isabella Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
38 upvotes
Ian S.
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Paisley Moore
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Stella Taylor
great question, following
35 upvotes
Matthew T.
big facts right here
34 upvotes
Scarlett P.
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Brandon E.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Jeremiah Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Allison Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
cool_isabella15
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Scarlett Turner
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
20 upvotes
Brooks Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Eastside schools are surprisingly good. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Ellie Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
andrew_kid
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Luca Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
violet_runner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech 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 hit or miss - we have rivers 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 underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Landon Morris
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Leonardo Flores
noted, appreciate it
5 upvotes
Caroline Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Dallas it's solid.
4 upvotes
Addison Hill
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
4 upvotes
oakland_gianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
2 upvotes
Silas Ruiz
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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