Random thought, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $2,010 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
8 upvotes
26 Replies
Jameson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
desert_cooper35
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Christian White
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
37 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
Totally agree!
36 upvotes
Emily M.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
caroline_mind
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Jack O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Evan E.
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Eliana Chavez
spot on
30 upvotes
ezra_dude
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's decent.
28 upvotes
Mia F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Theodore Taylor
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Isaac Cox
literally same
22 upvotes
Julian A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks 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 surprisingly 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 very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
orlando_isaac
Saving this thread
21 upvotes
Xavier
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Kennedy E.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Luna Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
12 upvotes
Jack Richardson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Peyton Morales
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Hailey Parker
following this thread
8 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in South area are challenging. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Vivian Cruz
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
waylon_guy
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
columbusrider2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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