Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,539/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $455,200, which is pretty steep. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Let me know your thoughts.
24 upvotes
20 Replies
Isaac H.
seconding this
40 upvotes
Jacob Garcia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Parker Thomas
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Michael Nelson
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
31 upvotes
Bennett Young
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
25 upvotes
portland_samuel
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Jack P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
21 upvotes
Walter R.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
20 upvotes
Emily Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Brooks C.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Alice Martinez
not my experience at all
15 upvotes
Greyson Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
14 upvotes
Samuel Jimenez
I work in government here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is excellent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Claire Sanders
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
Mateo Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Caroline Myers
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Robert S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Quinn Foster
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, 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 cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Samuel Cook
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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