So, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, which is concerning. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? The weather takes some getting used to.
25 upvotes
22 Replies
Hannah Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Roman
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Maverick M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Amelia Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Camila Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Wesley Peterson
Moved here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Emmett Lee
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Everly Phillips
Moved here from Austin about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Brenda R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Jose Cooper
Moved here from Dallas about 8 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Jayden Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 1 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Everly Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Colton Young
bump
13 upvotes
jaxrider2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh 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 Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Willie C.
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Willow Hall
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Alexander Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Olivia Perez
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
5 upvotes
Samuel Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 56, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
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. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
3 upvotes
local_jonathan36
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Declan Reyes
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
