Hey, The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
18 upvotes
7 Replies
Addison Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Kayden Wright
great question, following
34 upvotes
sfwalker2021
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
Jaxon Sanchez
great question, following
30 upvotes
Peyton C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are challenging. 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. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
atlheart2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
