I've been here for 12 years and You can expect to pay around $959 for rent here. Median household income is $52,954, which feels on the lower side for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation?
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Joseph Parker
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's improving.
39 upvotes
Piper Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Hunter M.
100%
30 upvotes
Zoey Chavez
Saving this thread
29 upvotes
Quinn Garcia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
26 upvotes
Connor H.
same here
26 upvotes
Riley Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Lily
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
24 upvotes
Everett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's tough.
18 upvotes
Kelly P.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Michael
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
10 upvotes
Sarah Martin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
detroitsoul2024
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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