Hey folks, I'm a 43-year-old mechanic and It's a a smaller city city with about 26,670 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots? TIA! The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Sofia
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Genesis Bailey
100%
38 upvotes
Emmett Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
37 upvotes
Beverly H.
I work in finance here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Mateo O.
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Maya Bailey
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
18 upvotes
Savannah M.
haha yep pretty much
14 upvotes
Wesley Edwards
seconding this
14 upvotes
Christian King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Jace
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is improving in most areas.
13 upvotes
Michael Bennett
yep
11 upvotes
chicagopapa2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 tough. 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 shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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