OK so I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $498,700 on average. Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Hot summers
- Not very walkable
What do you all think? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
29 upvotes
25 Replies
Roy J.
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
Waylon Green
glad someone said it
37 upvotes
Jonathan Peterson
I've lived in Downtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Amelia Jimenez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Camila Harris
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
32 upvotes
Silas Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
nola_abigail
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
milwaukee_josiah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
26 upvotes
Miles P.
preach
25 upvotes
Isaac M.
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Isabelle Brooks
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Nora K.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Cameron
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
18 upvotes
Aria Rivera
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 San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 average. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Riley M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Nolan Foster
same here
12 upvotes
indy_madeline
bump
12 upvotes
Eli Ramos
spot on
9 upvotes
Dominic Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Aiden G.
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Brooks S.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
5 upvotes
Waylon Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
3 upvotes
Jacob R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
2 upvotes
Sebastian W.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The pet-friendliness is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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