OK so I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,276 for rent here. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I wrong here?
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Caroline Parker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Mason Price
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Luna Foster
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Eliana Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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. Limited high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Sophie Castillo
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Lucas B.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
18 upvotes
Jonathan Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Rylee Williams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Lucas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
3 upvotes
Zoe Garcia
Moved here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to healthcare but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Logan C.
great question, following
1 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
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