So, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
38 upvotes
24 Replies
oaklandgirl2022
great question, following
40 upvotes
Christian Thompson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Addison Jackson
spot on
39 upvotes
Roy G.
Moved here from Houston about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to school system but Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
raised_gabriella7
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Jacob Cox
noted, appreciate it
35 upvotes
aiden_guy
seconding this
34 upvotes
Carson White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 48, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Walker
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Lucas Myers
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
25 upvotes
Sophie Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Wyatt D.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
20 upvotes
Christian W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Nora Cooper
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
Jayden Cox
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Sophia W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Eva Perez
nah I disagree
11 upvotes
Henry Cooper
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
11 upvotes
Quinn Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah Ruiz
yep
9 upvotes
Harper R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Nora Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Ezekiel Ross
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 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Hailey A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
