Hi all, It's a a small town city with about 18,412 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Noah E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Olivia Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
39 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Declan Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
30 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
same here
29 upvotes
phoenixwalker2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Diego about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Everett Smith
lol so true
19 upvotes
Bennett M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
18 upvotes
aurora_chef
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Sophia Chavez
following this thread
8 upvotes
Jose Peterson
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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