Alright, With a population of 80,510, Lakewood is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $774,100 on average. Median household income is $116,794, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakewood sits at 277.0 per 100K. Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
30 upvotes
13 Replies
Aurora Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
35 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting 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 biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Benjamin P.
100%
24 upvotes
Naomi Ramirez
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Nora N.
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Addison Evans
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Lily Y.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
9 upvotes
Silas Ramos
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Reagan Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Maple Ridge and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
6 upvotes
Olivia
I'm a writer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Ava
lol so true
3 upvotes
Landon
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Scarlett R.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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