Random thought, Homes are going for about $618,400 on average. Rent is about $1,647/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 69,884 people. Household incomes average around $57,576 in Lakewood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I wrong here? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
29 Replies
Joshua R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kayden Davis
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
hunter_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
37 upvotes
Logan M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Brooks F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Eliana Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Salt Lake City it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Sofia Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
seattledude2024
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Eli B.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The school system is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Mateo Robinson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Addison C.
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Leonardo Nguyen
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Violet Harris
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
Addison
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Autumn White
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
19 upvotes
Carol S.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Aubrey
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
17 upvotes
Katherine R.
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Jack Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Adam C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Sophia Jimenez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's decent.
14 upvotes
Vivian Kelly
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Dylan Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Greyson Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Lawrence P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
cool_leonardo90
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 3 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
+1
7 upvotes
dcwalker2020
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
6 upvotes
Kaylee Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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