Been meaning to ask this. I work in insurance and Crime rate is something to consider -Meeker sits at 223.4 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What are your go-to spots?
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Kai A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Hannah G.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
38 upvotes
Waylon Johnson
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Elijah Morgan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Aubrey Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to LA it's underrated.
28 upvotes
Santiago Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Lillian B.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
25 upvotes
Grayson L.
following this thread
22 upvotes
Liam Martin
interesting, hadn't considered that
20 upvotes
Levi Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 39, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
19 upvotes
Ezra Bennett
lol so true
16 upvotes
Grayson White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Larry J.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
All Countries
