Hey everyone, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Jose W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
brielle_chef
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Willie R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
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 decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramirez
yep
28 upvotes
Nathan
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Xavier R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Wesley Gray
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Waylon Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Amelia Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
10 upvotes
Hunter Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Nathan C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Fairview 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Virginia E.
I work in tech here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Claire Gomez
Totally agree!
4 upvotes
Owen S.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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