Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 13,344 people. Homes are going for about $627,300 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
10 Replies
Gloria T.
100%
36 upvotes
Elizabeth Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Hannah Jones
facts
31 upvotes
Helen P.
not my experience at all
29 upvotes
Evan T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
18 upvotes
Katherine G.
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Ellie A.
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Connor Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. tough 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
Jayden M.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
5 upvotes
urban_mia52
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is underrated in most areas.
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