Longtime lurker here, Rent is about $2,261/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $451,600, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $451,600 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 35,609 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Great weather
- Low crime in most areas
- Low taxes
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
- Limited cultural events
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
22 upvotes
12 Replies
emma_dude
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Cora Howard
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Zoey G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Miles
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's pretty good.
25 upvotes
Aria G.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
22 upvotes
Mark C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Rylee Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
21 upvotes
Barbara L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
17 upvotes
Katherine Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Adam L.
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Lucy A.
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Liam Campbell
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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