Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $534,000, which is pretty steep. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
William Richardson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Isaac Jones
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Roy J.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Avery Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 57, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. surprisingly good 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
33 upvotes
mountain_sophia27
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Vivian Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Dominic Miller
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Mateo
spot on
25 upvotes
Maya Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Downtown 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Katherine
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Adam Sanchez
I work in education here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Waylon W.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
11 upvotes
Emmett
preach
10 upvotes
portland_julian
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Katherine Davis
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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