Lake Forest Park 83 Exceptional
Lake Forest Park Livability #49 ranked city in Washington#828 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Lake Forest Park

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in Lake Forest Park?

Lake Forest Park, Washington is a mid-sized city with a population of 13,735 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,903 people per square mile, Lake Forest Park is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Lake Forest Park is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Something to be aware of when living in Lake Forest Park are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 33 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Lake Forest Park is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in Washington, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Lake Forest Park and in the areas around Lake Forest Park is a much easier task.

The livability score in Lake Forest Park is 83/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Lake Forest Park is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Lake Forest Park also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! Based on the grades for each individual category, Lake Forest Park has received high marks for amenities (B-), crime (A-), education (A+) and housing (A+). Lake Forest Park does not fare well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Lake Forest Park has a violent crime rate of 62 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Lake Forest Park schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 76%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Lake Forest Park an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Lake Forest Park can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lake Forest Park is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Lake Forest Park come in at $1,235,329, which is 151.2% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lake Forest Park, the home price to income ratio is 6, which is 11.1% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lake Forest Park

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      Lake Forest Park transportation information

      Statistic Lake Forest Park Washington National
      Average one way commute33min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work66.4%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.6%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit10.8%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.4%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home9.9%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Lake Forest Park, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.