Curious what people think. It's a a smaller city city with about 58,491 people. Would love some local perspective.
22 upvotes
22 Replies
Betty Y.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Adam Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 56, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. challenging 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
35 upvotes
Hannah Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. 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. Uptown schools are decent. 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 entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Samantha R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Sadie B.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Quinn Castillo
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Colton Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Adam L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Zoey S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
24 upvotes
alexander_kid
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
23 upvotes
Sophia M.
seconding this
17 upvotes
Alexander Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
16 upvotes
emilia_life
hard disagree but ok
16 upvotes
Aaron Young
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Leonardo Green
100%
11 upvotes
Camila Moore
I've lived in West for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Isla Bennett
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Jose Foster
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
robert_girl
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Alice Howard
preach
5 upvotes
Charlotte A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Daniel N.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..