Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $189,300, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
28 upvotes
29 Replies
Ethan Y.
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Alexander Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Bryan L.
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Isaac Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami 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 Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Josiah Diaz
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
harper_soul
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
jaxnative2022
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Evelyn W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Emily Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. consulting 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
David H.
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 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Old Town schools are solid. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Autumn
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Silas
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Willow
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Abigail Ward
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Zoey Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Deborah R.
this is the way
17 upvotes
Dylan Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Emilia E.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
nycguy2024
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is better than expected. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Eva Reyes
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Noah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Debra M.
Moved here from Denver about 14 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to housing market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Camila Jones
big facts right here
3 upvotes
henry_heart
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Sebastian Gomez
big facts right here
2 upvotes
Leo Wright
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Nora Martin
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
1 upvotes
Logan Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Audrey H.
Moved here from Boston about 13 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
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