Hey folks, My partner and I are Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 5.6%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 20.3%, which is higher than I expected. The median home value here is around $185,400, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
21 Replies
Audrey Ramirez
facts
38 upvotes
Jack Ruiz
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Greyson Reyes
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
32 upvotes
Emilia B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Everly Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Emmett C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
jace_walker
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Debra G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
22 upvotes
Deborah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
20 upvotes
cora_mama
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
18 upvotes
Noah Davis
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Landon M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Ashley M.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great seafood places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
17 upvotes
Thomas R.
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Nova E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Charlotte it's average.
16 upvotes
Anna R.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Julian Edwards
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Austin Ross
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Lakewood schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Madelyn
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.
1 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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