Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and With a population of 72,480, Lakeville is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Appreciate any input. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
24 upvotes
11 Replies
phoenix_nora
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Natalie H.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Austin Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Susan D.
100%
20 upvotes
Aubrey Rivera
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Luna Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
15 upvotes
Henry Wilson
preach
4 upvotes
Madeline Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
3 upvotes
Evelyn L.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
1 upvotes
Lydia G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Jacob Perez
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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