Hey everyone, We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $185,300, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $1,043 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Aubrey
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Oak Park area are challenging. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Silas Parker
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Old Town area are solid. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Willie W.
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 Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Levi Turner
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Doris W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Nolan Martinez
literally same
28 upvotes
Nora Roberts
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
25 upvotes
Riley O.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Xavier W.
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jameson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
13 upvotes
Camila C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Samuel Cook
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Dominic
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
8 upvotes
Serenity S.
haha yep pretty much
1 upvotes
Piper Hernandez
I'm a chef and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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