Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Rent is about $1,708/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Carter C.
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Bella C.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Maya
spot on
35 upvotes
Lucas Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Silas Ramirez
noted, appreciate it
27 upvotes
Paisley T.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
17 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
I'm a social worker and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Elena S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
11 upvotes
Michael Y.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Lily Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
4 upvotes
Rylee Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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