Hi all, It's a a smaller city city with about 76,074 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
18 Replies
Lucas Moore
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Waylon Ramos
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
37 upvotes
Ella M.
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Jordan R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Cheryl R.
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
philly_alexander
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Sophia Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Colton
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Weston D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
21 upvotes
Aurora G.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
Sarah R.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
18 upvotes
Olivia Cox
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Christian Flores
100%
17 upvotes
Lori P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Sophia G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Bella L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's hit or miss.
12 upvotes
jeremiah_soul
I've lived in Eastside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Ella Turner
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in North area are solid. Kids love it here.
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