Hey folks, Rent is about $1,376/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 14,942 people. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -Lemon Hill sits at 614.8 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Lily Taylor
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Abigail M.
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
Nora Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 52, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
30 upvotes
Ruby Kim
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Isabelle Rodriguez
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Michael
accurate
25 upvotes
Ariana Taylor
100%
25 upvotes
Aria G.
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Lydia Chavez
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Katherine
seconding this
10 upvotes
Michael Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jaxon R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Alexander Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
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