Been meaning to ask this. Household incomes average around $45,829 in Marion. Homes are going for about $105,900 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up.
20 upvotes
14 Replies
Vivian Thomas
Came here for work and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The food scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Savannah R.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
28 upvotes
Eli
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Asher D.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Jeremiah Robinson
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 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
omaha_parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
25 upvotes
Arianna Rogers
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The school system is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
nyc_sophie
I've lived in Highland for about 13 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Lillian Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Maple Ridge 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hudson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Jose Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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