My partner and I are It's a a smaller city city with about 76,251 people. Homes are going for about $169,200 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
16 Replies
Jayden
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Greyson A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
35 upvotes
Harper Richardson
spot on
31 upvotes
Lauren G.
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
proud_piper96
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
25 upvotes
Genesis P.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
25 upvotes
William Brooks
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Kaylee Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 33, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. challenging 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
23 upvotes
Evan Rivera
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Easton Ruiz
lol so true
17 upvotes
Nora Martin
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Joshua Gonzalez
wish I knew this sooner
11 upvotes
Violet Robinson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2023
Moved here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Edward M.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
jayden_vibes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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