I work in education and Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $1,225,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,562 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Good schools
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Lack of diversity
- Boring for young people
Am I overthinking this? Thanks for reading. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
23 upvotes
11 Replies
miamiliving2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Mia Flores
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Sarah Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
32 upvotes
Easton Bennett
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Katherine M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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:**
government is strong here. retail 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Lydia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
23 upvotes
Everett G.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Reagan Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Isabella
following this thread
6 upvotes
Jeremiah Morgan
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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