I work in government and It's a a smaller city city with about 71,570 people. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
19 Replies
Everett Murphy
big facts right here
39 upvotes
Christian Martinez
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Fairview area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Melanie C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Raleigh it's average.
31 upvotes
Daniel Kelly
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
nashvilleguy2025
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Brooks Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Evelyn
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
25 upvotes
Melanie Gutierrez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
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 Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 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. 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 wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
James Harris
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
17 upvotes
Caroline Walker
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
16 upvotes
Zoe J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
Nova Hill
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Cynthia S.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Ashley R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Aria
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
5 upvotes
Sarah
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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