Homes are going for about $129,000 on average. Median household income is $52,083, which feels on the lower side for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Sebastian Castillo
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Aria Ruiz
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Kai P.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Olivia C.
I'm a accountant and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Liam Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 45, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Serenity Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Westside, 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 decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
23 upvotes
Angel W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
22 upvotes
Santiago Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. average 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
10 upvotes
Aurora Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Elijah W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Ruby Sanders
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
adrian_guy
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Luca
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
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