Anyone else feel this way? I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $64,409, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $291,300 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
9 Replies
Anna Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts 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 hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Naomi
100%
34 upvotes
Delilah Ward
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Adam Gutierrez
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
Emilia
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Austin
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The housing market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Jonathan James
I work in real estate here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Colton Murphy
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Downtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
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