Hey folks, I've been here for 17 years and You can expect to pay around $2,849 for rent here. The median home value here is around $1,513,400, which is pretty steep. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Let me know your thoughts. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
25 Replies
Anna Cruz
+1
38 upvotes
Evelyn R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's competitive 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 tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Delilah Wilson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Theodore Wilson
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 San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Carson Moore
following this thread
33 upvotes
Hazel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Ian Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Maya M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
tucsonfan2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Delilah Stewart
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Santiago Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Axel Cook
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
17 upvotes
Greyson G.
bump
17 upvotes
Lillian K.
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
omaha_thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Leah Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Nova King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Amelia Cook
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
Liam Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 32, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
10 upvotes
Eleanor Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Leah Parker
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much affordable but now it's surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
Joseph Wilson
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
1 upvotes
Emily
yep
1 upvotes
Nora Rogers
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's average.
1 upvotes
Nora Castillo
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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