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Lillian Clark
housing
Rent vs buy in Bainbridge Island -what makes sense?
Hey folks, Born and raised here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think?
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Ezekiel Ramirez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
urban_roman75
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
31 upvotes
Claire Carter
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Genesis Alvarez
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Jack G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Santiago Sanchez
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Megan G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Donna L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
17 upvotes
Avery Brown
this is the way
14 upvotes
Ava Young
facts
5 upvotes
Hazel R.
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
cora_soul
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Michael C.
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: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
tampa_stella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
0 upvotes
Miles M.
as a local I can confirm
0 upvotes