Been living here since 2005. Median household income is $107,556, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 19,696 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
12 upvotes
8 Replies
Paisley R.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
mountain_reagan50
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Samuel
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Pine Hills area are challenging. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Carter R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Sunset) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, 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.
24 upvotes
charlotte_valentina
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Lucy Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Eleanor
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Willow Thomas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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