OK so Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
28 upvotes
22 Replies
Genesis C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Dorothy F.
honestly same experience here
40 upvotes
Audrey M.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Wesley
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Jose Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 10 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Old Town schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Ariana
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Lydia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland 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 decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Catherine R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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 challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Doris M.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Jace Watson
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Matthew King
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Hunter Brown
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Dominic
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Violet Robinson
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The weather is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Easton Hughes
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
9 upvotes
Luca Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 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 solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Connor A.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
7 upvotes
Cora Edwards
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Caroline Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Sophie Ward
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much competitive but now it's pretty good.
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