First post here. We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 71°F, so it's warm year-round. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up.
70 upvotes
13 Replies
Landon Gomez
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Brooks Allen
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Arianna A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 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 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Samuel Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
stldude2021
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Thai places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Paisley Hill
I'm a social worker and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Beverly W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Charlotte, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
14 upvotes
Roman Perez
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
11 upvotes
Skylar Evans
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Isla Parker
Moved here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to public transit but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Zoe F.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in North area are underrated. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Josiah Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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