Hickory Hills quality of life -am I missing something?
Rent is about $1,112/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 14,718 people. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
9 Replies
William Martinez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Nevaeh
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
sacramento_ezekiel
+1
23 upvotes
jaxrider2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
21 upvotes
Ariana Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Riley Adams
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Grace J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
8 upvotes
Owen Ramos
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
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