Hey folks, I'm a 53-year-old nurse and Homes are going for about $94,400 on average. Rent is about $623/month for a decent place. Median household income is $37,344, which feels on the lower side for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Theodore Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And walkability 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.
36 upvotes
Nova Sanchez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
33 upvotes
Vivian Ruiz
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
real_bennett64
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Landon T.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
24 upvotes
Logan W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Madeline Martinez
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
14 upvotes
Camila B.
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Benjamin B.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The public transit is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Luna Chavez
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
Leo James
yep
4 upvotes
Nevaeh Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Austin Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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