Alright, Median household income is $67,621, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $184,400 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
5 upvotes
10 Replies
Isabella
This.
40 upvotes
Camila Jones
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Nicholas Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 24, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
26 upvotes
Ellie Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Emma Patel
spot on
15 upvotes
Kaylee R.
it depends on the neighborhood
14 upvotes
rylee_mama
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 8 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Adrian Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Eli White
not my experience at all
2 upvotes
Amelia Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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