I relocated for work and It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
30 upvotes
23 Replies
Aria Gutierrez
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Matthew
thanks for sharing
36 upvotes
Isaiah Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Hudson Stewart
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Chloe Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Genesis Anderson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Seattle it's excellent.
31 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Sadie Collins
following this thread
24 upvotes
Cora Wright
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Luke Turner
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Kennedy Kelly
Moved here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to job market but Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Michael
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
nashvillemama2020
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Zoe M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Leah Morgan
yep
12 upvotes
Eli P.
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Naomi Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Tampa it's challenging.
11 upvotes
Lillian Turner
I work in marketing here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Nora Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
10 upvotes
Bella White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
9 upvotes
Ellie
Moved here from Tampa about 7 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Stella C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
9 upvotes
milwaukee_emily
Came here for weather and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
