Not sure if this has been asked before, but Poverty rate is 12.4%, which is around average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
6 Replies
Skylar
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
40 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
Moved here from New York about 13 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Elizabeth Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
18 upvotes
Luca Lopez
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Zoe F.
yep
14 upvotes
Hannah G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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