First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $2,253/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 22,451 people. Median household income is $123,327, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
4 upvotes
2 Replies
Landon Evans
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
26 upvotes
Harper Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. tough 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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