Hello, Median household income is $54,503, which feels on the lower side for the area. You can expect to pay around $901 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Mateo Walker
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Lillian Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 24, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
34 upvotes
Kai
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Reagan Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 9 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Dominic Alvarez
bump
23 upvotes
Aria P.
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Hannah Smith
Moved here from Denver about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to housing market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
loving_sophie40
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Alice Phillips
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Lucas M.
This.
14 upvotes
Oliver A.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Clara
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Walter M.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Adrian Sanders
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Janet C.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
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