My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 10.7%, which is around average. Homes are going for about $90,700 on average. Median household income is $58,074, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 1,511 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Nicholas B.
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 San Francisco, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Mason Torres
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Joshua Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
nycmind2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Zachary H.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Bella Flores
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Emmett T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
interesting, hadn't considered that
17 upvotes
Greyson Castillo
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Kinsley W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Elena Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
5 upvotes
Ezra Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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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