Hello, Rent is about $1,062/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Worth the trade-offs? The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Ezra Nguyen
Moved here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Weston Hernandez
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
30 upvotes
Grace Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Houston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Brooks Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
Grace Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Avery Diaz
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Lucy Long
big facts right here
14 upvotes
Luna Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Emily Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Mia Rogers
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Zoe Cook
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I love the pace of life here.
2 upvotes
Wesley Morris
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
All Countries
