Hi all, Just moved here 2 months ago and Household incomes average around $116,794 in Lakewood. Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
7 Replies
Naomi Bennett
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Sofia James
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much wild but now it's hit or miss.
31 upvotes
Sofia A.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Ariana Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
27 upvotes
Quinn Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Ella Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
denver_carson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
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