Hey everyone, Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,742 for rent here. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,742/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 62,458 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to.
19 upvotes
12 Replies
Mateo Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Maya M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. 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 surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Cora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
25 upvotes
Ava
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Caroline Foster
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
23 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Ruby L.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's surprisingly good.
21 upvotes
Aaron Cox
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Willow Sanchez
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Dominic
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from New York 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 Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Rylee T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Ellie Lee
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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