Hey, Been living here since 2023. It's a a small town city with about 7,506 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Jacob Ruiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Eleanor Mitchell
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The nightlife is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Jameson Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food 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.
20 upvotes
Waylon Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Claire King
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
All Countries
