My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $185,600, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Zoe Gray
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
39 upvotes
Joseph Thompson
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Johnny W.
lol so true
33 upvotes
Mateo C.
seconding this
27 upvotes
Skylar Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Abigail B.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Lucy R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Nolan K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Uptown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
14 upvotes
Madeline M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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