What Natrona Heights does better than anywhere else
Hey, Been living here since 2006. Rent is about $744/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Joseph
I've lived in South for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Thomas Ross
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Billy G.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Parker Lewis
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Cooper R.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
jaxliving2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 53, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
23 upvotes
Cora Rivera
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Nora N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Nevaeh W.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much established but now it's solid.
16 upvotes
Weston R.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are average. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Kinsley Cook
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's tough.
12 upvotes
Luke Ruiz
+1
12 upvotes
Hazel Cook
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Emmett Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Leo R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
All Countries
