Been meaning to ask this. The median home value here is around $416,400, which is pretty steep. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Avery Morris
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Nolan Collins
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.
32 upvotes
Christian Sanders
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is tough in most areas.
29 upvotes
Jayden Scott
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 Austin for quality of life. 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Carter B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Quinn L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Shirley G.
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Ariana Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Isaiah Taylor
Used to live on the West side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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