Random thought, Military spouse here. Median household income is $70,524, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,460/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,034 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Lakewood sits at 756.8 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
18 upvotes
14 Replies
Madison B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
36 upvotes
Sadie Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
36 upvotes
Andrew Allen
I'm a teacher and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Oliver Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Midtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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
Deborah R.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Nathan Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Ian Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Everly S.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
milwaukeemama2022
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
22 upvotes
Gianna Edwards
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Grace Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Michael K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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