First post here. I'm originally from Los Angeles and You can expect to pay around $827 for rent here. Poverty rate is 8.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
5 upvotes
8 Replies
Paisley Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 39, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
39 upvotes
John C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Sadie Richardson
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Dylan Alvarez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
20 upvotes
Aurora C.
100%
16 upvotes
Sadie
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
15 upvotes
Kayden Ross
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Arthur B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Highland and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. average 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.