Hi all, Just moved here 13 months ago and Median household income is $47,132, which feels on the lower side for the area. Rent is about $821/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $124,000, which is actually reasonable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Genesis P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Patricia Y.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Axel Harris
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Everett Kim
+1
30 upvotes
Vivian Walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Clara B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from New York about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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