Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $321,000 on average. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? Thanks in advance! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Alice Gonzalez
accurate
40 upvotes
jaxlife2021
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great craft beer places. the quality of life is solid.
40 upvotes
Delilah Ward
Moved here from Tampa about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to walkability but Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Natalie Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Vivian S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Lily Howard
I'm a writer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Aria Nguyen
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
32 upvotes
Everly D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Naomi Bennett
I'm a physical therapist and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Victoria C.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Maple Ridge area are average. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Levi Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Brooks D.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Henry Phillips
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to LA it's improving.
16 upvotes
Elijah M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Dallas it's improving.