Sign In Register
Emmett T. qa

Dog-friendly places in Lacey?

Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while.
20 upvotes

7 Replies

Luke Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Charlotte C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.

I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Gabriella Thomas
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Brooklyn Myers
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Lakewood area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 31, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
18 upvotes
Evelyn L.
lol so true
17 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
← Back to Lacey Community