Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and Household incomes average around $85,789 in Lakewood. You can expect to pay around $1,746 for rent here. Average temperature is around 48°F, so expect cold winters. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? Any help is appreciated. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
56 upvotes
18 Replies
Claire Taylor
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
37 upvotes
Natalie Wood
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
Roman Hughes
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Riley Cruz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Robert Ward
lol so true
28 upvotes
Adeline Harris
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Camila B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
26 upvotes
Addison Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Nova
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Isabella Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Aria Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Asher Parker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Jameson R.
bump
12 upvotes
Claire H.
literally same
12 upvotes
Robert Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Russell F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
All Countries
