Poverty rate is 14.7%, which is around average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
4 upvotes
27 Replies
Levi Turner
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Ethan L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
Rylee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
phoenix_elena
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
grace_chef
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
indy_peyton
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
31 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Nathan Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. 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.
27 upvotes
Luke
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Samuel H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Declan Walker
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Noah Ross
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 1 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Maple Ridge 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Isaiah Miller
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
kc_david
literally same
22 upvotes
Camila Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
22 upvotes
Ezekiel G.
seconding this
21 upvotes
Katherine Thompson
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Emilia J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
20 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Parker S.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
12 upvotes
Aurora C.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Christopher N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Stella S.
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Ella W.
great question, following
8 upvotes
Joseph Cruz
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
3 upvotes
Zoey M.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Cora Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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