Hi all, We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $1,569 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 88,297 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I overthinking this?
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Riley
seconding this
35 upvotes
Delilah Brown
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Isabelle King
preach
24 upvotes
Genesis Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Carson H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
12 upvotes
Jayden Hill
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Genesis Morgan
spot on
10 upvotes
Caleb Lee
haha yep pretty much
5 upvotes
Henry Campbell
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Cedar Grove area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Lily Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Hudson C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
Leonardo Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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