Curious what people think. Median household income is $181,862, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 153K people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Anyone in a similar situation? Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Riley Davis
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Kaylee F.
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
seattle_alice
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Ariana
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
21 upvotes
Jack L.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The school system is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Leah Torres
I'm a nurse and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is average and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
true_nevaeh19
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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