Hey everyone, Born and raised here. Rent is about $796/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
5 Replies
Bennett K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
39 upvotes
Levi Garcia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Leonardo W.
I work in legal here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is better than expected. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Christian Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 15 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Bennett Evans
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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