Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 27.0%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a small town city with about 8,301 people. Median household income is $47,594, which feels on the lower side for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
6 Replies
Ariana Brown
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Everett Richardson
literally same
26 upvotes
Jose Wood
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Noah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 30, moved here 4 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
10 upvotes
Santiago Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
William Green
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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