Not sure if this has been asked before, but Homes are going for about $121,000 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
29 Replies
Kayden Gomez
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Ian Foster
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Old Town area are decent. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Wesley Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Cedar Grove schools are pretty 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Autumn W.
seconding this
35 upvotes
Jose Wright
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Henry Turner
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Liam James
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is tough in most areas.
31 upvotes
eli_runner
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Eliana Davis
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
real_austin18
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. challenging 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Sofia Bennett
100%
25 upvotes
Aaron Lewis
Moved here from Miami about 3 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Mateo Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good 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 genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Grayson M.
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
James Stewart
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Olivia C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Daniel Ruiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Mason
this is the way
19 upvotes
Reagan J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
sunny_allison38
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
evelyn_heart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
15 upvotes
aiden_guy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - 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. North schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Clara P.
Moved here from Denver about 4 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Brenda K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Zoey Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
4 upvotes
Cora
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
All Countries
