Curious what people think. I've been here for 2 years and Homes are going for about $440,300 on average. With a population of 13,863, Elk Plain is a small town. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Leah Ortiz
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Jacob Cox
lol so true
38 upvotes
native_mia83
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Sadie Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, 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. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. tough 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Jacob Jones
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Waylon M.
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Ronald R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
John
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
George L.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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