Alright, Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
28 upvotes
25 Replies
Silas Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 32, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
39 upvotes
John Morales
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Thomas R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Rylee Ruiz
Moved here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to walkability but No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Bennett Edwards
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
houston_cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Austin it's surprisingly good.
35 upvotes
orlandoguy2021
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Katherine Jackson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Julian Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Brenda R.
I work in real estate here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Jayden Lewis
Moved here from San Diego about 8 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Bennett Evans
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Isaiah Myers
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
Willow Alvarez
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Greyson Thomas
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Sunset area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Owen Phillips
literally same
15 upvotes
Gloria P.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Charlotte R.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Naomi Garcia
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Cora C.
Came here for weather and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
proud_hudson13
Totally agree!
2 upvotes
Naomi Garcia
not my experience at all
2 upvotes
Samuel Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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