Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider -Franklin sits at 165.2 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Let me know your thoughts. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
5 upvotes
27 Replies
Austin Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails 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 pretty good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
cool_maya82
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Stella Gray
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Declan Phillips
Moved here from San Diego about 6 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to healthcare but Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Cooper Price
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Madelyn Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle 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 Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Stella G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Lucas C.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Natalie M.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Audrey W.
accurate
30 upvotes
Joseph Allen
big facts right here
29 upvotes
Camila Roberts
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Roman
+1
25 upvotes
sf_connor
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 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 Raleigh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Portland it's average.
25 upvotes
Cooper Nguyen
this is the way
19 upvotes
Jeremiah Lopez
Came here for family and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Claire Flores
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
12 upvotes
Harper Brown
I've lived in South for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Claire Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
8 upvotes
Joseph
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Axel James
I've lived in Uptown for about 9 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
eli_mama
spot on
5 upvotes
Jack C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. solid 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
5 upvotes
Xavier Mendoza
Moved here from Miami about 5 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Skylar
Came here for school and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The walkability is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
