I'm retired and Rent is about $2,660/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $444,700 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Ezra Wright
accurate
39 upvotes
Bella Gutierrez
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
Jordan Cooper
Moved here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to walkability but Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Emily
hmm interesting perspective
29 upvotes
Mateo James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Hazel Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Colton Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Mateo H.
seconding this
12 upvotes
Daniel Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
11 upvotes
Asher R.
I've lived in Downtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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