Hey folks, The median home value here is around $352,000, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $56,497 in Moscow. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? Any help is appreciated.
25 upvotes
24 Replies
Ezra Watson
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Samuel
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
brooklyn_papa
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Mackenzie Perez
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Johnny R.
lol so true
27 upvotes
Bella E.
I work in real estate here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Kinsley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
24 upvotes
Allison Lee
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
24 upvotes
sacramento_lucy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
22 upvotes
Cooper M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Karen T.
spot on
21 upvotes
Ezra Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are improving. 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 public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Luke L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
16 upvotes
Daniel Patel
I'm a accountant and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is average and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Rylee Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
15 upvotes
Jonathan Bailey
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
Lillian Young
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's improving.
13 upvotes
Kenneth C.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Sunset area are decent. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
orlandolife2024
same here
12 upvotes
Peyton Gomez
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Jose K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
10 upvotes
Addison
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
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