First post here. The median home value here is around $302,200, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $302,200 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to.
22 upvotes
13 Replies
Sophia Peterson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Lakewood area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Caleb Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests 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 solid. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Cora Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Willow Price
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Nancy K.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
Parker P.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
17 upvotes
Hannah Miller
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
16 upvotes
Theresa A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
7 upvotes
Aurora Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
indywalker2025
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Rylee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's surprisingly good.
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