Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. Median household income is $70,528, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Does this match your experience?
6 upvotes
17 Replies
Bennett Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Jaxon
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Ellie R.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Adam Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Waylon Brown
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
nyc_sophie
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Maya King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 24, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
23 upvotes
Weston
This.
16 upvotes
Amelia Turner
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Leo Richardson
This.
11 upvotes
philly_victoria
facts
11 upvotes
Silas Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 1 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Harper Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Gabriella Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Bella White
100%
4 upvotes
Leonardo Reed
glad someone said it
2 upvotes
Ava 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 10 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails 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 solid. 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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