Alright, I'm single, late 50s, and With a population of 69,884, Lakewood is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation?
23 upvotes
30 Replies
Rylee Campbell
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Henry Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 54, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Jacob Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 47, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
39 upvotes
Julian H.
+1
38 upvotes
Jose Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Charlotte Hernandez
100%
32 upvotes
Scarlett Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Melissa D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Alexa
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
adrian_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 5 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are pretty good. 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. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Adrian M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Benjamin L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Hailey
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
tulsawalker2023
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is tough in most areas.
16 upvotes
Kai S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Roy G.
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Lillian Morales
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Julian Lewis
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Ezekiel Allen
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Easton T.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Bennett G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
Everly Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Minneapolis it's underrated.
9 upvotes
Emmett Foster
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Oliver R.
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Hannah Bennett
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
5 upvotes
Sophia Ward
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
3 upvotes
Xavier R.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Isaiah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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