Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 13.6%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I overthinking this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Serenity Stewart
yep
40 upvotes
Maya Peterson
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Julian Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Colton
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Zoey Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Gabriella Kim
great question, following
25 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 38, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Eastside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
19 upvotes
Allison W.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Clara B.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Allison
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Ella Ross
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Ethan Parker
Came here for retirement and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
