Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Median household income is $132,935, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 11,644 people. Homes are going for about $504,100 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Robert Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
38 upvotes
omahafan2025
literally same
35 upvotes
Elijah Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 15 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Nathan
Bought a house here in 2018 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Anna F.
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Grace Torres
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
phoenixwalker2026
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
13 upvotes
Grayson Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Samuel Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Daniel M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Eva Miller
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Jerry M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Audrey Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe 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.
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