I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 44,916, The Colony is a smaller city. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
Nova Jackson
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
tucsonlife2020
same here
37 upvotes
Leah Morgan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Emma M.
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Mason S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Nathan Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
real estate is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts 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 better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Nathan Hill
+1
15 upvotes
Jackson Reyes
+1
10 upvotes
Nora
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
oakland_kayden
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
