All Countries
Grace Reed
living
Life in Belle as a young professional
I've been here for 7 years and Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Elena
big facts right here
36 upvotes
Rylee Hill
This.
32 upvotes
Natalie M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
28 upvotes
Isabella K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Levi Williams
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
preach
20 upvotes
Clara Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 10 years. Moved from LA for weather. 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in West for 10 years. Moved from LA for weather. 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Janet T.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Axel D.
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Everly Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 45, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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, 45, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
8 upvotes
Douglas M.
Moved here from Seattle about 13 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cost of living but Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Liam Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Aubrey King
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes