Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $1,647 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakewood sits at 36.9 per 100K. With a population of 69,884, Lakewood is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
27 upvotes
9 Replies
Claire
accurate
30 upvotes
Waylon Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Reagan R.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Maple Ridge area are improving. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Sofia N.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
coastal_allison21
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Maverick Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Jaxon E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is improving in most areas.
10 upvotes
Aiden W.
this is the way
7 upvotes
Cooper R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. decent 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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