What are your go-to spots? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Michael H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Claire Campbell
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
Vivian Cruz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Roman G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Claire Kelly
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Adam
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Kaylee Ross
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
John M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
mia_local
lol so true
13 upvotes
Evan Perez
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Cooper Harris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Kaylee L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
8 upvotes
Landon Campbell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..