Hey everyone, Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $68,900, which is actually reasonable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
3 Replies
Sofia Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
22 upvotes
Easton S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Asher D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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