Hey, I'm a 36-year-old marketing manager and Homes are going for about $335,900 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 67,133 people. Poverty rate is 21.7%, which is higher than I expected. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thoughts? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development.
21 upvotes
13 Replies
Christine R.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Megan W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Nora Lopez
it depends on the neighborhood
28 upvotes
Sarah C.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Riley Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Aaliyah Myers
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Nathan M.
I work in government here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Gabriella Gray
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
sflover2024
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in East area are decent. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Silas Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Kinsley Thompson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
7 upvotes
Lydia Lewis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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