So, I work in government and Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Serenity Gomez
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Stella D.
great question, following
33 upvotes
Ruby Torres
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's challenging.
32 upvotes
Carson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Luke R.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Elijah Perez
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's improving.
23 upvotes
Aaliyah Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Emilia Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
17 upvotes
Julian Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
yep
14 upvotes
Katherine Jimenez
+1
13 upvotes
Ashley M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. West schools are average. 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
William Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Easton Rivera
honestly same experience here
2 upvotes
Melanie Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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