Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Waltham sits at 162.6 per 100K. Rent is about $2,232/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $116,560 in Waltham. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
18 Replies
Maya Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Riley Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Everett Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kayden T.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Grace Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Minneapolis it's excellent.
25 upvotes
Autumn Ward
I've lived in West for about 9 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 Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Lillian H.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Leah Cruz
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Angel
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Cooper Jimenez
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
19 upvotes
Ellie
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Alexa Lewis
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Maverick Ward
This.
19 upvotes
Isaiah Myers
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Aria R.
preach
17 upvotes
Aaron Cox
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Emma C.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much established but now it's tough.
1 upvotes
Madelyn Morales
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
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