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Frank C.
best-worst
Things that make Lakewood unique
Hey, Homes are going for about $618,400 on average.
2 upvotes
22 Replies
river_jeremiah43
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - 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 walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - 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 walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Everly Robinson
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Christian C.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Kaylee Carter
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are tough. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
I've lived in Downtown for about 12 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 Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Jayden Baker
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
nolachef2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
31 upvotes
Mason Brooks
spot on
31 upvotes
wild_hannah88
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Ashley M.
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Mia H.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Connor H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 55, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 55, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
nashvillerider2023
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Adrian
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Roger M.
couldn't agree more
23 upvotes
Matthew Mitchell
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in West area are improving. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Joseph Collins
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Ezekiel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Valentina Torres
this is the way
13 upvotes
Harper Allen
spot on
5 upvotes
Hannah G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Miles Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and South, 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. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and South, 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. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
3 upvotes