Military spouse here. Median household income is $60,000, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $959 for rent here. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thoughts? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Nova Jackson
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Leah Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
cool_lucy29
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
eliana_fan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Maple Ridge and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
28 upvotes
Cora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 35, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
27 upvotes
philly_emilia
not my experience at all
22 upvotes
Caleb C.
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Anna B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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. Fairview 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Henry
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
kcnative2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Ian Lee
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Frank S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Gabriella M.
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Sebastian Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Midtown schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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