Crime rate is something to consider -Happy Valley sits at 497.8 per 100K. The median home value here is around $671,800, which is pretty steep. Household incomes average around $120,324 in Happy Valley. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,572 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Great weather
- Close to nature
- Strong sense of community
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- High property taxes
- Not enough green space
Thoughts? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. 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. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up.
30 upvotes
15 Replies
Avery
spot on
37 upvotes
Dominic Foster
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Melanie Johnson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Lucas Scott
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Connor R.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Miles Ortiz
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
true_evan13
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
22 upvotes
Isaac White
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
andrew_papa
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Leonardo Wood
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Alexander
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Douglas R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Peyton Ward
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Nicholas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
2 upvotes
Bella Campbell
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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