Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $287,300 on average. Poverty rate is 8.5%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? Cheers. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
60 upvotes
14 Replies
Stella R.
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Dominic Young
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Serenity Moore
it depends on the neighborhood
19 upvotes
Carson G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
aurora_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes 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 hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Jaxon Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Stephen N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Sofia Alvarez
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
12 upvotes
Genesis Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
12 upvotes
local_dominic98
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Wesley H.
following this thread
11 upvotes
Violet Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Sophia Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
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