Hi all, The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 12,269 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Amelia Jimenez
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Thomas
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
34 upvotes
Jacqueline C.
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Brooks Wright
Bought a house here in 2024 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
23 upvotes
Eleanor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
17 upvotes
Noah Green
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
7 upvotes
Jacob Stewart
following this thread
6 upvotes
Samuel Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.