OK so My partner and I are Poverty rate is 7.2%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
7 Replies
Mateo Jackson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Owen Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Hunter Cook
bump
27 upvotes
Audrey Ortiz
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
river_axel20
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
Savannah Jackson
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 surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.