Lakewood is a city located in the USA (state undefined, but not important). Earning its name due to its many woods, parks, walking trails, lakes, and leafy nature, Lakewood is defined by its chill, family-oriented vibes, becoming a popular spot for many families to settle down due to its affordability. Lakewood also caters to the wealthy, as it has neighborhoods and gated communities with big, fancy houses. Additionally, the city is not densely populated and tends to be more spacious on the outskirts of the city.

Lakewood becomes more like the average college city the closer you get to Whitman State University (WSU), the biggest and most well-known university within it. There, the streets get more crowded, with buildings lined up right next to each other in rows. The nightlife is bustling: numerous clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, and spots catered to the college youth.

Lakewood is mostly characterized by its beautiful scenery, low crime, highly educated population, and peaceful environment.

𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭

Lakewood has a gradient: on the outskirts sit the wealthiest communities. Big, suburban homes with some acres between them, giving them the feeling of isolation and not having to worry about the neighbors around them. Past the outskirts and closer to the center of the city are high-class and middle-class homes, set up like your standard suburban neighborhood, though the difference between the cheaper communities is evident based on house spacing and the size of these houses. Regardless, these areas are nice, family-oriented. Lastly, downtown Lakewood is characterized by its college life—many flats and condos ranging from expensive to downright cheap. Explosive nightlife, constant noise, and a general area where young adults can be wild and free without intervention.

As with any place, there are some opinions held about the current youth and the types of families living in Lakewood.

𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐬 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐬

𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐬

𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Of course, there are some people who do not subscribe to these beliefs; however, these stereotypes run rampant around the city.

Some older people (typically 50s and up) have a disdain for how the current youth parties and have “monopolized” downtown Lakewood, turning the area from a respectable area to shop and have a day out with your family to “hangout and drug culture.”

Some older people have grown to hate it when some families’ children grow to be college-aged, afraid that they will throw massive parties when their parents aren’t home and pollute the peaceful suburbs in the city center and the outskirts with noisy music and chatter.

Some of those busybodies are quick to call the police if they see what appears to be the start of young adults gathering in their community.

This has led the local police to take police calls of noise disputes a lot more lightly, only really intervening when the typical complainants aren’t the only ones reporting a disturbance.

Some younger people, on the other hand, find Lakewood to be boring, as party culture only really exists in one major part of the city.

The youth have the tendency to want to branch out from the typical clubs and bars, yearning to throw house parties for a change of pace and a more intimate setting.

Because of the aforementioned busybodies, the youth have developed methods to sneakily throw house parties and to evade the police shutting them down (i.e., turning down music before the police arrive, sneaking in attendees through the back doors, etc.)

There exists some form of classism as well; middle-class families are often not as respected due to their lack of wealth and social status.

Families in Lakewood’s outskirts are the most respected and sometimes used as a way to motivate people to work harder to achieve their lifestyle.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞

Description: A modern cafe about a five-minute walk from WSU; a popular place for study and hangout, due to its quiet yet chill atmosphere. It is known for its delicious homemade coffee and tasty sweet treats, but its popularity truly derives from the fact that this is a spot often used as a gathering spot once leaving WSU. Students make plans, choose an easy spot to meet up at, and then plan accordingly. It's a two-story building; the downstairs for hangouts and chats (tables, couches, sofas, etc.) and upstairs for studying (desks, tables, quiet atmosphere, etc.) The cafe also has an outdoor eating area, popular for hanging out as well.

Signature Items:

• Honey Bunny Latte

• Nitro Cold Brew

• Triple Chocolate Croissants

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

Description: A scenic public park surrounding a calm freshwater lake with paved walking paths, picnic areas, docks, and boat rentals. This park is popular with both student and non-students populations, serving as a nice place to relax and spend time with those you would dear. This spot is also popular for couples, with affordable boat rentals where couples can relax on the lake, fishing, eating, chatting, or whatever they want to do.

𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬

Description: A winding system of wooded trails connecting several small parks and overlooks. Some sections are paved while others are dirt paths beneath dense tree canopies. Popular for nature walks, dirt bike riding, and more. These trails are popular with all walks of life in Lakewood, with many people enjoying the area for a peaceful walk and enjoy the nature around; however, this place holds a special place for athletic types that love to go running and to get that blood pumping.