Pros and Cons of Living in Lakewood
Lakewood's honest tradeoff is genuine walkability, transit access, and low crime, set against a genuinely high property tax rate and real lake-effect winters.
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Learn moreReal advantages
Lakewood offers real, verified walkability and GCRTA rail access, a comparatively low city income tax, a thriving small-business commercial corridor, genuinely favorable crime data, and a favorably-rated school district.
Real tradeoffs
Property taxes run genuinely high (well above the national average); winters bring real, significant Lake Erie lake-effect snow; the city's own hospital closed in 2015; and Lakewood's population has seen a real, disclosed decline since the 2020 Census.
The net read
For buyers specifically prioritizing walkability, transit access, and low crime in a Cleveland-area suburb, Lakewood's advantages are real and well-documented. For buyers prioritizing the lowest possible property tax rate, other Ohio markets may fit better.
Key takeaways
- Real pros: verified walkability, real rail transit, low crime, a thriving small-business corridor, and favorable schools.
- Real cons: a genuinely high property tax rate, significant lake-effect snow, and a 2015 hospital closure.
- The net read favors walkability- and transit-prioritizing buyers specifically.
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