#70. Lakewood, CO
| Lakewood, CO Quality of Life Liv Score 609 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 47 |
| Demographics | 51 |
| Economy | 88 |
| Education | 55 |
| Health | 60 |
| Housing | 49 |
| Infrastructure | 46 |
| Amenities | 53 |
Why Lakewood is one of the best cities to live in
Many people don’t know this, but there’s a major federal center located in Lakewood, CO, that provides jobs for more than 8,000 people. One of the most interesting facilities at the Denver Federal Center is the National Ice Core Lab, which stores massive slabs of ice from Antarctica, Greenland and North America. But the lab isn’t the only cool thing about this Denver suburb. Lakewood is one of the best places to live in the U.S. partly because of its strong economy and ample job opportunities. Outdoors enthusiasts with ski passes, art lovers and music fans will all feel right at home in Lakewood, which is Colorado’s fifth biggest city and home to nearly 160,000 residents. All these things combined have awarded Lakewood the certification of an All-America City twice.
Major employment sectors include federal agencies, education, health care, retail trade, IT and software.
Red Rocks Community College & Colorado Christian University
Lakewood residents enjoy all four seasons. With close proximity to I-70, the main highway that delivers locals to some of the state’s best ski resorts, it’s easy to hit the slopes during the winter.
Enjoy an outdoor concert at nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which attracts top-tier talent. Locals also love to climb the stairs and do yoga in this stunning amphitheater surrounded by crimson walls.
Lakewood, CO is Remote-Ready
Lakewood is an economically sound city less than a twenty-minute drive outside of Denver with access to the Rockies. Lakewood’s home and rental prices are slightly higher than the national average. Still, its job market has been steadily increasing, with predictions for it to grow exponentially more in the coming years. In addition, the cost of utilities is below the national average. Visit Lakewood’s Office Evolution coworking location for air conditioning and fast internet.
What Locals Love in Lakewood, CO
Grab a thriller or mystery at Rosemary’s Baby Bookstore and then cozy up in one of the many chairs placed in nooks throughout the store.
Immerse yourself in the arts on the West Colfax Corridor, which has 20 public art installations, dozens of galleries and multiple performing arts venues.
Spend the day at Hayden Park on Green Mountain, which has 2,400 acres of open space and some of the most challenging hiking trails in the area.
Head to Belmar, a dining and entertainment district, for a happy hour or live music. Pro tip: Sync up your calendar with the Summer Cruiser Rides, a fun, monthly group bike ride on Fridays that starts at Belmar.
Casa Bonita is a Mexican restaurant housed in a pink palace where generations of Coloradans have celebrated childhood birthdays eating sopapillas while cliff divers perform in an indoor lagoon. Wild, right? If this sounds familiar, Casa Bonita was made famous to the rest of the world on an episode of “South Park.” The restaurant is set to reopen with one of Colorado’s most beloved chefs, Dana Rodriguez, taking the helm.
Thinking of Moving to Lakewood, Colorado?
You’ll find listings of Lakewood homes for sale as well as all of Colorado real estate on eXp Realty and you can refine your search. These top-rated real estate agents in Lakewood are local eXperts and are ready to answer your questions about the best new neighborhoods.
Quick Facts About Lakewood, CO
- Average Commute
- 25.8
- Median Home Value
- $650,039
- Med. Household Income
- $56,954
- Total Population
- 157,775
- Walk Score
- 39
- Median Property Tax
- $1,514
