First post here. Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $197,000 on average. Rent is about $974/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thanks in advance! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
27 Replies
John H.
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Silas J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Elijah Walker
I'm a writer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
gabriella_native
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Caroline D.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Pine Hills area are excellent. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Eric K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Kai Walker
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Isla Green
100%
29 upvotes
Cora Scott
great question, following
23 upvotes
Everett Sanders
+1
21 upvotes
Harper Phillips
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Zoe Johnson
Moved here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Elizabeth Brown
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Olivia Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Christopher G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 40, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
15 upvotes
Sofia Hughes
Saving this thread
14 upvotes
Jameson K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Emmett Lopez
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Everett Torres
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
7 upvotes
Audrey Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Grayson Wood
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Mason
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Eleanor P.
facts
4 upvotes
Lydia James
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Easton Martin
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Ellie Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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