Hey, Rent is about $876/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Thoughts? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Jose Jimenez
I've lived in East for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
William
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
37 upvotes
Benjamin Cox
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Hailey Campbell
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Sarah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Victoria Rivera
This.
17 upvotes
Rebecca M.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Amelia Chavez
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Olivia M.
100%
8 upvotes
Quinn Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
charlotte_owen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 35, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in South and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
5 upvotes
Emma Lee
lol so true
4 upvotes
roman_lover
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Carson Rogers
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 reasonable but now it's improving.
2 upvotes
James Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
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