Been living here since 2023. Median household income is $82,188, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 5,113 people. The median home value here is around $244,400, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Natalie C.
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Carter Nguyen
I've lived in Fairview for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Charlotte Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
34 upvotes
Elena Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Kayden C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Mateo Jackson
same here
23 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
I've lived in West for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Serenity M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
17 upvotes
Benjamin Kelly
spot on
13 upvotes
Ava Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Bennett Edwards
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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