Hello, I work in food service and It's a a small town city with about 21,437 people. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts.
1 upvotes
10 Replies
Owen Rodriguez
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Bella Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 improving. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
coastal_connor75
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Piper Price
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's underrated.
34 upvotes
happy_anna77
+1
29 upvotes
Lawrence J.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in The Heights area are excellent. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Arianna Anderson
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Miles Long
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cost of living. 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 safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Alexa
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Everly Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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