Hi all, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $308,400, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $308,400 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Any advice would be great.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Rachel C.
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
Roger P.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
Benjamin R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Nancy K.
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Delilah Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Axel Roberts
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Anna Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Jackson F.
Totally agree!
18 upvotes
Betty R.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
16 upvotes
Ruby Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Lisa W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
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