Hello, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Skylar Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Caroline Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Daniel Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Adeline J.
this is the way
24 upvotes
Kai Allen
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Katherine Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Lakewood schools are average. 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Beverly H.
been saying this for years
19 upvotes
Barbara M.
Moved here from Dallas about 10 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Willie R.
this is the way
10 upvotes
Scarlett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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