First post here. I work in real estate and Median household income is $81,556, which feels pretty solid for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
22 Replies
Mia Collins
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Paisley M.
+1
36 upvotes
Colton Young
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
36 upvotes
Elijah R.
spot on
35 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 30, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
35 upvotes
Connor R.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Jayden
this is the way
27 upvotes
Evan Foster
100%
26 upvotes
Isaac M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is average in most areas.
25 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
+1
23 upvotes
Hunter Ruiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Levi Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
19 upvotes
Leonardo Thomas
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Jayden Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Boston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Eric P.
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
Naomi
I'm a project manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Emilia G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Abigail S.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Hazel Hall
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Lillian M.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Connor Richardson
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 3 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Matthew L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
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