Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 50s, and The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $847/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $139,200, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes
10 Replies
Ethan Watson
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Aria Jackson
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
31 upvotes
Kinsley Johnson
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
river_sofia78
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Isaiah P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. marketing 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Adeline Gutierrez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
George G.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
Aubrey Taylor
facts
20 upvotes
Elizabeth G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
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