Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,738/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
58 upvotes
29 Replies
Aubrey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
37 upvotes
Weston K.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Aurora Parker
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Aria Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Kinsley Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Weston Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Leah Jones
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Landon Jackson
not my experience at all
29 upvotes
Josiah Phillips
I'm a contractor and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Cameron Rogers
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Diana P.
Moved here from LA about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Jameson P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Wesley Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Violet F.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Seattle it's tough.
18 upvotes
Avery Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 10 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Santiago Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
17 upvotes
Hailey B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
11 upvotes
Anthony M.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Aiden Turner
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Thomas Scott
I've lived in Fairview for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Autumn Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Ryan Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Katherine Clark
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Sarah Jimenez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
John Wright
accurate
4 upvotes
Aaliyah Miller
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Josiah Nguyen
I've lived in Eastside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
Alice White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
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