I'm a 22-year-old graphic designer and Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a smaller city city with about 40,384 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Let me know your thoughts.
16 upvotes
26 Replies
Dominic Gray
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Gabriella Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
Alexa Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Michael B.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Stella Ortiz
Moved here from Dallas about 1 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Lucy Gutierrez
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Leonardo Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Violet
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Valentina R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Gabriel Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Emily Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Kayden Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 14 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Michael B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Clara King
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Matthew Evans
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Elizabeth White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 33, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. underrated 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
15 upvotes
Nevaeh A.
This.
15 upvotes
Cameron Morales
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is average and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Sebastian H.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's solid.
13 upvotes
Michael Murphy
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
10 upvotes
Jacob A.
+1
10 upvotes
Charlotte Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
8 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
100%
8 upvotes
Dylan Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are pretty good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Aiden Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Grace J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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