Curious what people think. Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Kirkland sits at 98.4 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? Cheers. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
4 Replies
Henry Campbell
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
30 upvotes
desert_serenity35
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Riverside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
22 upvotes
fresnoguy2025
this is the way
17 upvotes
Kennedy O.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's solid.
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