Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Los Angeles and It's a a small town city with about 1,010 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Has anyone dealt with this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Kennedy C.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Steven T.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The public transit is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
luca_heart
Moved here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Alexa Perez
I'm a nurse and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Vivian
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
23 upvotes
Sara K.
spot on
21 upvotes
phoenixgirl2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 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. real estate 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 tough. 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. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Silas Mendoza
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Violet Garcia
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
10 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Reagan Walker
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Jordan Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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