Alright, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 4.3%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $87,371, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $584,700, which is pretty steep. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
8 upvotes
7 Replies
Brenda B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 49, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
35 upvotes
Cooper Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Wyatt G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Isla
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Nora Williams
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 Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches 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 hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Charlotte P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Ethan Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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