Hey folks, I work in insurance and Crime rate is something to consider -Meriden sits at 264.4 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is about average. Household incomes average around $68,617 in Meriden. With a population of 60,418, Meriden is a smaller city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
Greyson Morgan
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Elena Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
ava_native
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Adam Kelly
this is the way
31 upvotes
Emilia W.
yep
29 upvotes
Victoria Perez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Gabriel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Maya K.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
Roman M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Kennedy Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Mia Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Brooks Rogers
spot on
14 upvotes
Bella Clark
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Charlotte Anderson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Ryan Ruiz
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Miles Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Scott M.
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Jaxon Taylor
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
3 upvotes
Gabriella Brooks
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 Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Anna Nelson
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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