Military spouse here. Rent is about $2,779/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
2 upvotes
18 Replies
Autumn Roberts
bump
35 upvotes
Genesis B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Rylee Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Wyatt C.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Avery Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Isabelle W.
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Silas Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Sophie G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are improving. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. 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.
26 upvotes
Amelia R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Rylee
Moved here from Portland about 9 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Lillian
I'm a nurse and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Jayden Harris
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Naomi Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Levi Watson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Kai P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Logan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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