Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $53,588 in Lawton. You can expect to pay around $935 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to.
9 upvotes
29 Replies
Sofia Rivera
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Westside area are improving. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Willow Baker
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Emilia W.
bump
38 upvotes
Jose Long
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in The Heights area are tough. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Robert
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
35 upvotes
Katherine Morgan
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Victoria
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Emily Torres
This.
30 upvotes
jaxrider2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
tech is strong here. education 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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 surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
John Wood
facts
28 upvotes
John R.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The public transit scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
columbus_aiden
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Madeline Wood
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Scott P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
25 upvotes
Jeremiah Sanchez
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Miles Jackson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
kc_hannah
not my experience at all
22 upvotes
sofia_soul
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
18 upvotes
Luca Chavez
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Hazel Allen
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Jack C.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in East area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
David Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Isabella Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Sarah M.
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Waylon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Ryan Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 39, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
7 upvotes
Connor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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 hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Angel Baker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
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