We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $774,100, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakewood sits at 277.0 per 100K. Median household income is $116,794, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Is this normal for Lakewood? Appreciate any input. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
12 upvotes
16 Replies
Andrew Brown
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
40 upvotes
Kinsley M.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
39 upvotes
Reagan Patel
following this thread
38 upvotes
Jace Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 37, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
38 upvotes
Ethan Hill
literally same
33 upvotes
Jordan Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Isaac Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, 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. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
30 upvotes
urban_roman75
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Uptown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Jameson B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Hannah T.
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
native_delilah39
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
11 upvotes
Harper Kelly
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
10 upvotes
William P.
as a local I can confirm
4 upvotes
Emilia Gomez
I've lived in Uptown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Cora H.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
All Countries
