Hi all, I've been here for 8 years and The unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
3 upvotes
3 Replies
Grace Long
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Quinn S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Jeremiah Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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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