Hey everyone, Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $62,216 in Westland. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. What would you do? Thanks! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
27 upvotes
22 Replies
Emilia Ramirez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
40 upvotes
Elijah Watson
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Madeline
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 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 public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Aurora Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Sebastian Cooper
Moved here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Quinn Kim
same here
36 upvotes
Charlotte P.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much competitive but now it's surprisingly good.
36 upvotes
cincygirl2020
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Sophie
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Mia E.
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Nova King
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.
19 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Westside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
17 upvotes
Jaxon K.
I'm a project manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Ryan Morgan
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Grayson Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami 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 The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
true_brielle73
yep
11 upvotes
Kevin S.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Serenity Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Jaxon Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Phoenix, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
7 upvotes
Hailey Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
2 upvotes
native_emma72
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Denver it's better than expected.
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