Hey everyone, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What do you all think? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Jordan D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
happy_lucy20
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
30 upvotes
Paisley Nelson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
Melanie Ward
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
4 upvotes
Sadie Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey 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 solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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