Alright, We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $1,238 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
26 Replies
Amelia Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Nashville it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Hudson A.
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The nightlife is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Sebastian Rivera
great question, following
40 upvotes
Xavier Evans
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in East area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Eleanor M.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
34 upvotes
Elijah W.
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Parker Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
houstonheart2024
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
angel_chef
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
28 upvotes
Jayden Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
23 upvotes
Lily Watson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Abigail P.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Autumn Scott
preach
20 upvotes
Levi C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks 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 excellent. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Ezra Price
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
violet_papa
+1
13 upvotes
sunny_isabelle76
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Leonardo Morales
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Mason A.
This.
9 upvotes
Camila Phillips
literally same
9 upvotes
Benjamin
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Grayson M.
100%
8 upvotes
Charles P.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Alice H.
yep
6 upvotes
Valentina Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
columbus_aiden
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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