Random thought, Rent is about $865/month for a decent place. Median household income is $43,370, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $95,900, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $865 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 35,304 people. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Diverse community
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
18 upvotes
14 Replies
Allison Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
38 upvotes
Scott F.
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Kinsley Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Axel Collins
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
34 upvotes
Dominic
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
28 upvotes
Abigail Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Ellie Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Alice Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
16 upvotes
Ellie Jackson
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
15 upvotes
Stella Castillo
following this thread
14 upvotes
Evan Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Adrian R.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Santiago Gray
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
born_luke37
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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