Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 30s, and You can expect to pay around $990 for rent here. Poverty rate is 27.8%, which is higher than I expected. The city has invested a lot in new development. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
27 upvotes
16 Replies
Isla
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are average. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Olivia
bump
35 upvotes
Mackenzie
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
sffan2023
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Phoenix it's decent.
32 upvotes
David Alvarez
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Jace Allen
+1
27 upvotes
Everly Howard
facts
25 upvotes
Ian T.
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 Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Maya Roberts
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 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. The Heights schools are tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
desert_chloe70
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
5 upvotes
Hudson
seconding this
5 upvotes
Jacob Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 15 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
3 upvotes
Joyce J.
I work in engineering here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
charlotte_valentina
not my experience at all
2 upvotes
Scarlett Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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