All Countries
Lucy N.
living
What I wish I knew before living in Bargaintown
Random thought, The unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is about average. Worth the trade-offs? Appreciate any input.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Natalie
same here
36 upvotes
victoria_guy
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
following this thread
25 upvotes
Nicholas R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Ellie Thomas
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Ryan J.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
23 upvotes
Violet Evans
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Scarlett Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Luca
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
Everett A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Jacob S.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Julia Mitchell
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Angela C.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The housing market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Oliver Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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 physical therapist, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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