Curious what people think. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,524 people. The median home value here is around $118,400, which is actually reasonable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
15 upvotes
22 Replies
Isaiah Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is tough in most areas.
40 upvotes
Carter Brown
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Zoey M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
35 upvotes
Lucy Ramos
I've lived in Sunset for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Weston Ward
+1
33 upvotes
Andrew Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Willow Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Chloe Wright
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Hunter Walker
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Arianna M.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Edward L.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
19 upvotes
Kaylee Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Autumn Robinson
this is the way
17 upvotes
Bella Perez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Violet Kelly
big facts right here
14 upvotes
Gianna Hall
100%
13 upvotes
Cooper Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
11 upvotes
Eli Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
Beverly R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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