OK so We're a young couple and Household incomes average around $120,324 in Happy Valley. You can expect to pay around $2,025 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Would love some local perspective. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
28 Replies
Debra L.
following this thread
40 upvotes
John C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. improving 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. 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.
39 upvotes
Ezekiel Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
37 upvotes
Aria Walker
noted, appreciate it
34 upvotes
Cora Rodriguez
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Anna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Leo Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Allison Myers
big facts right here
31 upvotes
Autumn Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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
Carson Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Sara J.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Ella G.
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Michael P.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Cameron Gray
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Bennett Sanchez
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Sophie Hall
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Weston J.
I've lived in Downtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Matthew Watson
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
18 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Melanie
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Isaac Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
14 upvotes
Kinsley Johnson
preach
11 upvotes
Samuel Cook
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Mason W.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
indy_adeline
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Claire Kim
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Jean A.
accurate
1 upvotes
Jayden Patel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
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