Hi all, Military spouse here. With a population of 51,331, Burien is a smaller city. Median household income is $90,597, which feels pretty solid for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
19 Replies
Brielle R.
I work in real estate here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Brooklyn Young
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Ezra Young
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Hannah W.
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Adeline
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
24 upvotes
Cooper Jackson
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Hazel Brown
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 safety. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Angel Thomas
following this thread
20 upvotes
Jacob Morales
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Ethan James
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Minneapolis it's decent.
15 upvotes
William Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Eleanor S.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's average.
9 upvotes
Elijah W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. solid 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
9 upvotes
Chloe Brooks
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
7 upvotes
Jack Carter
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Sophie C.
Moved here from LA about 7 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Eliana F.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Aaliyah Myers
big facts right here
1 upvotes
Jackson Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 26, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Maple Ridge and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. improving 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
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