Hey folks, I'm a 27-year-old sales rep and Homes are going for about $444,600 on average. It's a a small town city with about 3,964 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Emma B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Kai Brown
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Zoey Diaz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Madeline Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 57, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
31 upvotes
Henry Phillips
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
28 upvotes
Luca Rivera
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Ava Scott
haha yep pretty much
21 upvotes
Santiago Rodriguez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, 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
Madeline Watson
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Quinn Morris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Dallas it's improving.
17 upvotes
Ian Foster
accurate
11 upvotes
Benjamin H.
exactly what I was thinking
10 upvotes
Natalie Allen
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Kaylee Adams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Ian H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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 decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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