Hey, I work in marketing and The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 13,134 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Connor R.
I work in education here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Leah Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Jean P.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Gabriel Morgan
yep
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
29 upvotes
Waylon James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Andrew Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
Aaliyah Adams
facts
21 upvotes
Isaiah Chavez
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Kayden Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
7 upvotes
Waylon
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Leah K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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