Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 6.8%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 68°F, so the weather is moderate. You can expect to pay around $1,823 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
19 upvotes
8 Replies
Emily Bailey
seconding this
40 upvotes
William Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Diana G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Caleb D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Landon Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta 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 Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Kai T.
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Alexa Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Eleanor G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
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