Hey everyone, Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $170,300, which is actually reasonable. It's a a mid-size city city with about 185K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to.
46 upvotes
4 Replies
Andrew King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Lillian Brown
I'm a electrician and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Jackson Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 47, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
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