I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $326,700 on average. It's a a small town city with about 7,817 people. Poverty rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,404/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I wrong here? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Dylan Alvarez
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Hudson White
spot on
31 upvotes
Isla Cruz
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
29 upvotes
Peyton Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Ryan Garcia
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Everly Howard
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Sarah Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
cincyrider2025
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Janet B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Elena Morales
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Noah C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
3 upvotes
Clara L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Dallas it's average.
All Countries
