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Nathan C.
best-worst
Lakewood is underrated, change my mind
Hi all, Born and raised here. Median household income is $70,524, which feels about average for the area.
27 upvotes
7 Replies
Bobby A.
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
40 upvotes
Nora R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Silas B.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Weston Morgan
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Nathan Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
100%
17 upvotes
Piper Martinez
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes