Curious what people think. Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation?
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Audrey Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
39 upvotes
Xavier
same here
39 upvotes
Roy N.
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Quinn Cruz
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
39 upvotes
Maverick Morales
preach
38 upvotes
Hannah Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 43, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Naomi Young
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Grayson Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Nevaeh Richardson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Bella Martinez
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Ella Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Mateo Richardson
literally same
10 upvotes
Landon Cox
Moved here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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