OK so We have two kids and Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,344 for rent here. Rent is about $1,344/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
Clara Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
39 upvotes
Rylee Morales
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
Asher
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Landon Ramirez
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Gloria W.
I'm a chef and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Lucas
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Bella Gutierrez
I've lived in Lakewood for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
austinheart2022
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Willow Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Connor Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin 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 surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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