Random thought, Military spouse here. It's a a small town city with about 1,282 people. The median home value here is around $190,700, which is actually reasonable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Josiah Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Owen K.
I've lived in The Heights for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
loving_liam65
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 Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic 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.
36 upvotes
jaxgirl2026
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Leo Parker
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Lydia Baker
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Isaac Sanders
This.
21 upvotes
Hunter Walker
100%
20 upvotes
Gabriel Cruz
I work in manufacturing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
William Williams
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Christian Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
madeline_native
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Camila S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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