Alright, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 52°F, so expect cold winters. It's a a major city city with about 637K people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
58 upvotes
7 Replies
Zoe Ortiz
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Greenfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Jayden Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. decent 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
33 upvotes
Henry
seconding this
25 upvotes
Santiago Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Brielle Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
tampa_wyatt
exactly what I was thinking
0 upvotes
Daniel Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
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