Hey everyone, Been living here since 2011. It's a a small town city with about 12,115 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned?
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Austin P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Landon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
Pamela K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is underrated in most areas.
28 upvotes
Madelyn Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Sebastian Nelson
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Nova
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Thomas G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 43, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
14 upvotes
Kai Torres
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
jaxwalker2020
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Dallas about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Zoe Alvarez
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Lucas J.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
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