I relocated for work and Poverty rate is 7.2%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Michael Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
David T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Atlanta about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Moved here from San Diego about 13 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to traffic but Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Nova Richardson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
34 upvotes
Peyton C.
+1
32 upvotes
Abigail Williams
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Benjamin A.
spot on
28 upvotes
Chloe Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Serenity Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
7 upvotes
Kai 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 5 years. Moved from Miami for family. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Jacob C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Axel Cox
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's improving.
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