I'm a teacher here and You can expect to pay around $1,036 for rent here. Rent is about $1,036/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $306,600, which seems about average. It's a a small town city with about 10,231 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Ezra Allen
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
+1
37 upvotes
Gabriella E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 pretty good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
John B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
29 upvotes
Emilia
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
28 upvotes
Isaac M.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
William Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
Nicholas Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Adrian Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Madeline Ortiz
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Ariana Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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