Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $120,570, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Riley C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
32 upvotes
Paisley C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Carol H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Zoe Sanders
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Abigail D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Hudson
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Joseph Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
12 upvotes
Sophie Watson
+1
8 upvotes
Carter Rivera
I'm a lawyer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
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