Hi all, The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,612 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Does this match your experience?
7 upvotes
24 Replies
Gianna Howard
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Ezra B.
following this thread
37 upvotes
Christian Ward
I've lived in South for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. 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 tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Camila T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Luca C.
I've lived in South for about 1 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 Tampa, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Elizabeth White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
32 upvotes
desert_jonathan28
literally same
32 upvotes
Jose Roberts
this is the way
30 upvotes
Jose R.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Audrey T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 32, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Jace Martin
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Violet James
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Portland it's challenging.
26 upvotes
Riley C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 7 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are surprisingly 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 very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Isla Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Skylar Williams
literally same
19 upvotes
Carter Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland schools are average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Melanie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Oliver Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
13 upvotes
Grayson Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Ava Young
Moved here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Dominic Clark
nah I disagree
7 upvotes
roman_lover
big facts right here
4 upvotes
Sofia Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 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:**
healthcare is strong here. education 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
roman_living
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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