Been meaning to ask this. Homes are going for about $1,127,600 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 45,152 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
28 upvotes
5 Replies
Liam Gutierrez
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Samuel J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. improving 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Camila Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in South and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
19 upvotes
parker_native
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Aubrey C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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