Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,798/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
19 upvotes
20 Replies
Tyler M.
been saying this for years
38 upvotes
Gianna
bump
38 upvotes
Kai
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Santiago Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
36 upvotes
Declan H.
same here
36 upvotes
kcmind2023
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Dylan F.
I've lived in South for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Cora Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Ian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Luca M.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Jordan Y.
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Cameron
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
21 upvotes
wild_jameson26
underrated comment
13 upvotes
Genesis Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Piper Ward
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Sofia Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Aiden M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are tough. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Kaylee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
0 upvotes
Santiago Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
Ezra D.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's solid.
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