I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $32,278, which feels on the lower side for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
William
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Alexander Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to LA it's decent.
32 upvotes
Valentina
Saving this thread
32 upvotes
Everly Robinson
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Greenfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Charlotte G.
This.
27 upvotes
zoey_kid
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Levi Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Sophia J.
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
20 upvotes
local_quinn86
100%
19 upvotes
Clara L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same 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. consulting 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Quinn Rogers
underrated comment
9 upvotes
weston_kid
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. 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 hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Eli Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Benjamin M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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