First post here. I've been here for 9 years and The unemployment rate is 5.9%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 18.0%, which is higher than I expected. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Daniel Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
39 upvotes
Andrew M.
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Rylee Wright
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 Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Wesley T.
great question, following
27 upvotes
Emilia J.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
raised_jeremiah43
great question, following
26 upvotes
Willow Miller
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Gianna Rivera
Bought a house here in 2018 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
cool_katherine65
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
loving_jeremiah78
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Ariana Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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