So, It's a a mid-size city city with about 198K people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots? Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
42 upvotes
2 Replies
Axel M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. solid 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
Waylon H.
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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