Hey, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $618,400, which is pretty steep. You can expect to pay around $1,647 for rent here. Household incomes average around $57,576 in Lakewood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
9 upvotes
6 Replies
Aiden B.
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Arianna J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
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. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
20 upvotes
Cooper Flores
Moved here from Nashville about 5 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Vivian Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. tough 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
16 upvotes
Gabriel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Parker Rivera
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Dallas it's surprisingly good.
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