My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $68,750, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $169,400 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here?
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Katherine Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Seattle 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 Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
William Reed
I work in healthcare here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Lily White
facts
35 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
accurate
31 upvotes
Everly Y.
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Carol A.
accurate
30 upvotes
Wyatt Roberts
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Ellie
accurate
28 upvotes
Evelyn Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Jackson E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Leonardo Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 14 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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. The Heights schools are solid. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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