Hey, I've been here for 1 years and The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 22,050, Hastings is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 22,050 people. Homes are going for about $294,100 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cheers. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Adam M.
not my experience at all
40 upvotes
Carter H.
100%
34 upvotes
Jayden Wood
Moved here from Seattle about 6 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Aaliyah N.
been saying this for years
25 upvotes
Daniel G.
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Christian Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Donna M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Aaron White
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
Riley
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Henry Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
1 upvotes
dallas_caroline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 47, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
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