Curious what people think. Homes are going for about $186,500 on average. It's a a small town city with about 10,332 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Any advice would be great. Any help is appreciated. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
14 upvotes
7 Replies
Anna N.
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
river_eleanor73
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
jayden_dude
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Andrew
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Aubrey Hill
not my experience at all
16 upvotes
Piper A.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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