Median household income is $200,833, which feels pretty solid for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
5 upvotes
9 Replies
austin_lily
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Mateo Perez
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Miles Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
jaxmama2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Camila J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Hazel P.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Emma
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Gabriella R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Weston
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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