I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,094/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective.
3 upvotes
17 Replies
Sarah P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Lydia Ramos
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Maverick
100%
29 upvotes
Skylar Evans
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Eliana G.
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Maverick Bennett
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Ellie Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 37, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
mesa_willow
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
Jose Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Everly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. decent 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
15 upvotes
Steven A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Isla Wood
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Robert W.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The healthcare is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Ralph K.
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Bella Clark
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
4 upvotes
David Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. 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 camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Clara F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
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