So, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $63,023 in Nikiski. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 36--F, so bundle up in winter. Rent is about $970/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Has anyone dealt with this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Ellie Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Adam Scott
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
31 upvotes
Sophia Rivera
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Jose Kim
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much manageable but now it's decent.
26 upvotes
Carson
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
Hailey
great question, following
26 upvotes
Kayla T.
+1
23 upvotes
Isaac Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Benjamin Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Axel R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
9 upvotes
Brooks Ruiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Julia B.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Jordan C.
accurate
5 upvotes
desert_axel77
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
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