We have two kids and Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Mason Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
sarah_rider
preach
40 upvotes
Jacob Martin
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
38 upvotes
Andrew Baker
literally same
36 upvotes
isaiah_local
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Nathan Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to New York it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Jameson Allen
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Victoria G.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Isaac Martinez
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Roman G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
5 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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