Longtime lurker here, I've been here for 19 years and It's a a major city city with about 886K people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
7 upvotes
45 Replies
Colton Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Minneapolis it's average.
40 upvotes
Skylar White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Luke Flores
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
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 dating scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Everly
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 Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails 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 tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Colton Price
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Ava
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is average and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Natalie Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
nycguy2024
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Gabriella R.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Thomas King
spot on
31 upvotes
Philip H.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Henry Watson
underrated comment
29 upvotes
Hudson James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Theodore Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 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:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Jeremiah Carter
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Harper Castillo
I work in education here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Jacob Stewart
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Janice A.
great question, following
26 upvotes
Henry
great question, following
24 upvotes
willow_walker
+1
24 upvotes
Leo W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Brooklyn Nguyen
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Hunter M.
preach
22 upvotes
Waylon
seconding this
22 upvotes
Kennedy W.
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
Nicole S.
seconding this
18 upvotes
David Williams
exactly what I was thinking
18 upvotes
Aria G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's challenging.
16 upvotes
Joe R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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
Evelyn S.
great question, following
14 upvotes
Paisley
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Nolan Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
13 upvotes
Declan Robinson
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Daniel Rivera
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Scarlett Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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. Riverside schools are hit or miss. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Claire Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Addison Carter
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Isaac Murphy
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Meadowbrook area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
minneapolis_violet
nah I disagree
4 upvotes
Xavier Lewis
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Samuel Kelly
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
good to know, thanks
1 upvotes
Ava Nelson
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
0 upvotes
Robert B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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