Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $287,600, which seems about average. Am I wrong here? Cheers.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Bennett Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Willow Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Jayden D.
same here
27 upvotes
Angel
big facts right here
24 upvotes
Allison H.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Sunset area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
sdchef2023
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Emmett Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Hudson C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
16 upvotes
Addison Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Sophia G.
Moved here from Portland about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Eleanor Ortiz
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Delilah Lopez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in East area are challenging. Kids love it here.
0 upvotes
Sadie
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Dallas for family. 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.