I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Rent is about $1,696/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts.
22 upvotes
29 Replies
Luke C.
I've lived in East for about 3 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 Dallas, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
raleigh_elijah
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Eugene R.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 6 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 Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Victoria
I work in healthcare here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
raised_gabriella7
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Ethan Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 challenging. 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. Limited public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Pamela A.
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Nova Kim
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
36 upvotes
Everly Ruiz
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Ethan Green
I've lived in Greenfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
stl_christian
lol so true
35 upvotes
Waylon Wilson
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Nicholas White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 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:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking 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 improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Mackenzie K.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
lake_everett83
+1
27 upvotes
Dominic Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
23 upvotes
Austin T.
same here
23 upvotes
Lauren R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Cora R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 33, moved here 11 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
21 upvotes
Aria Sanders
thanks for sharing
20 upvotes
Daniel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Aurora Smith
Totally agree!
15 upvotes
Violet Adams
I'm a data analyst and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Evelyn H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Grayson Perez
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Rylee Ramos
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. solid 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
12 upvotes
Austin Gutierrez
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Nicholas H.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
7 upvotes
nolan_papa
Moved here from San Diego about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
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