Curious what people think. Been living here since 2014. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Thanks for reading. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up.
19 upvotes
7 Replies
Kennedy N.
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Melanie J.
seconding this
34 upvotes
Landon Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Jacob Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Lucas Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Lily Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Jacob Jimenez
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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