I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Emmett Foster
I've lived in North for about 9 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 LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Emilia
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Robert Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Fairview schools are improving. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Katherine B.
I've lived in Uptown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Sophie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Ella G.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's tough.
12 upvotes
charlotte_jace
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
emma_guy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
Camila Wood
thanks for sharing
2 upvotes
Violet
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
2 upvotes
Eugene T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are pretty 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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