Hey everyone, My partner and I are Household incomes average around $164,315 in Bethany. The city has invested a lot in new development. What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
16 upvotes
12 Replies
Peyton Reyes
following this thread
38 upvotes
phoenixlocal2024
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Alexander Evans
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Sarah R.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
33 upvotes
Eva A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Savannah Hernandez
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
27 upvotes
Julia R.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Benjamin S.
preach
25 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
15 upvotes
Mia B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
12 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great craft beer places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
4 upvotes
Hazel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Maple Ridge and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - 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 pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.