Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2018. It's a a small town city with about 5,853 people. Rent is about $1,634/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
5 Replies
Xavier
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 5 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Grace Patel
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Barbara L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Jayden Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Alexa Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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