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Anna
living
Raising a family in DeSoto -thoughts?
Been meaning to ask this. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. Any advice would be great. TIA!
26 upvotes
24 Replies
Jeremiah T.
+1
39 upvotes
cameron_girl
preach
37 upvotes
Thomas Hernandez
I'm a marketing manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Aaliyah F.
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Ryan J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
35 upvotes
Audrey Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Gabriel Y.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
31 upvotes
Wesley Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
28 upvotes
Willow
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Christian
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Chloe Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
21 upvotes
sunny_sarah40
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Elijah Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Jameson Myers
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 13 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Maple Ridge schools are decent. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 13 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Maple Ridge schools are decent. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Lydia Bailey
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
17 upvotes
Hailey M.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Sunset area are challenging. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
levi_mind
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 job market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
michael_walker
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Robert R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
addison_heart
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Janice A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Avery Diaz
I'm a teacher and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Emilia Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Seattle it's solid.
4 upvotes
Wesley Cruz
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in West area are solid. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes