Hello, We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 1,417 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts?
6 upvotes
8 Replies
Isla
I'm a contractor and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Emilia J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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 surprisingly good. 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Arianna R.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Gianna
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
16 upvotes
Benjamin Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Ryan Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Matthew
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..