We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Noah T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Victoria Jimenez
lol so true
36 upvotes
Jeremiah Carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to LA it's decent.
25 upvotes
Nathan
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Benjamin
I work in tech here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Carter Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
3 upvotes
Arianna James
literally same
3 upvotes
Adam Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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