Hey folks, The median home value here is around $1,215,900, which is pretty steep. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
9 Replies
Frank M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
26 upvotes
Ethan M.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Waylon Kim
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Amber A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Scott M.
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Nova E.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Wesley
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Xavier Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Stella
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much stable but now it's solid.
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