Hey, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $966 for rent here. Median household income is $65,750, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 1,629 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? Appreciate any input. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
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3 Replies
Harper Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
27 upvotes
Harold W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Addison Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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