Alright, My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 7,531 people. Has anyone dealt with this?
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Hudson Perez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
39 upvotes
Caroline Flores
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Hannah Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Matthew Evans
following this thread
30 upvotes
Robert P.
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Allison P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
mason_kid
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.