All Countries
Arianna Allen
moving
Couple moving to Mercer Island from out of state
Been meaning to ask this. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
27 upvotes
14 Replies
Eleanor Cook
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Serenity Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
phoenix_christian
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Lily Long
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Scott
Moved here from Dallas about 14 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Amy P.
+1
20 upvotes
Ethan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Liam Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
12 upvotes
Jose Wilson
yep
11 upvotes
Miles Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 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:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. 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 cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in North for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 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:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. 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 cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jack Cooper
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Ezekiel Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Eliana R.
I work in finance here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Emma
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
0 upvotes