Alright, My partner and I are Median household income is $53,962, which feels on the lower side for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
10 Replies
Austin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Addison Smith
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Landon Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Julian Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
27 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Piper Wilson
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Nathan S.
100%
12 upvotes
Audrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Landon Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Kinsley Brown
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is tough in most areas.
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