Hello, I'm retired and It's a a small town city with about 20,633 people. Rent is about $1,128/month for a decent place. Median household income is $84,472, which feels pretty solid for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
0 upvotes
5 Replies
Peyton Bailey
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Kai R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Liam Turner
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Nathan Martin
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
8 upvotes
Adam Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and Uptown, 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. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
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