Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $168,400, which is actually reasonable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
30 upvotes
12 Replies
Jayden Rogers
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Nora Baker
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: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
David L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Aurora
facts
34 upvotes
harper_soul
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
31 upvotes
Lily
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 25, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Jackson Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
20 upvotes
Asher Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Lily
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Addison Garcia
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Grayson Moore
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Daniel Reyes
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great sushi places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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