Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2014. Crime rate is something to consider -Jefferson sits at 153.0 per 100K. Median household income is $96,761, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Michael Diaz
spot on
40 upvotes
Kayla T.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Cora Edwards
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor recreation is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Brooklyn Rogers
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Gabriel Green
Moved here from Tampa about 1 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Greyson Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 52, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Logan
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Karen C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
vegas_aaron
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Eli Harris
I'm a writer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Isaiah Nguyen
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
sf_ezra
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Zoey
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
miamirunner2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Hazel N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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