Hey everyone, I'm retired and Rent is about $1,063/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 5.4%, which is pretty low. With a population of 11,920, Stuarts Draft is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,063 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
Asher Wood
bump
27 upvotes
Grayson M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Katherine Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Jonathan M.
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 Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains 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 improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Oliver Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
5 upvotes
Grace A.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
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