Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 18 months ago and Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 63,034, Lakewood is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $70,524 in Lakewood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thanks in advance! Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
3 upvotes
26 Replies
Hunter Roberts
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Landon
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Springfield 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Allison King
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
33 upvotes
denverkid2023
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Declan H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Peyton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Riverside schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Joshua Phillips
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Dominic B.
I've lived in Westside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Cora Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
27 upvotes
Noah Roberts
great question, following
27 upvotes
William S.
I've lived in Fairview for about 11 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 San Diego, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Emilia M.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
22 upvotes
Oliver Stewart
I've lived in Oak Park for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Theodore Patel
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Brooks R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 36, moved here 11 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
19 upvotes
Caroline Mendoza
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
16 upvotes
Brian A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Leo Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
columbussoul2022
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Everly H.
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Isaiah Taylor
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Anna
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
7 upvotes
Ariana A.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Christian Mendoza
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Denise R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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