Military spouse here. Median household income is $85,526, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 22,235 people. Homes are going for about $457,400 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Elena Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Nathan Ward
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
Christian C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Gray
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
29 upvotes
Mackenzie Hughes
I work in healthcare here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Zoe James
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Genesis Jimenez
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Lakewood area are tough. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Mateo Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Ian Mitchell
seconding this
19 upvotes
James Ward
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Xavier
accurate
10 upvotes
Adeline C.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 4 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 San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Parker Stewart
I've lived in North for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
minneapolispapa2020
I work in government here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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