Thinking about relocating to Charleston from Austin
Hi all, It's a a small town city with about 17,212 people. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Valentina Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Aubrey Sanders
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Willow Morris
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
32 upvotes
Mateo Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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 desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are improving. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Julian
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
19 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
I'm a nurse and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Serenity S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Liam
Moved here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Emma Reyes
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
yeah no that's not right
5 upvotes
Addison Anderson
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Cora Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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