Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and The median home value here is around $218,200, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
19 upvotes
11 Replies
Anna Flores
Moved here from Boston about 8 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
nola_lillian
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Oliver Ortiz
Came here for family and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The housing market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Peyton Young
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Abigail R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Bennett Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Kathryn S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
13 upvotes
Sara O.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
11 upvotes
sacramento_nolan
100%
8 upvotes
Lily Robinson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is improving in most areas.
8 upvotes
Arianna Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 31, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. solid 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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