Longtime lurker here, I'm retired and Homes are going for about $316,800 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
Waylon
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Gianna J.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Everett Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Seattle it's improving.
37 upvotes
Easton R.
Saving this thread
35 upvotes
jaxchef2023
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
santiago_walker
lol so true
31 upvotes
Judy T.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Mateo Allen
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Christian M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Roman B.
Moved here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to healthcare but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Grayson Reyes
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Joshua
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Declan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Kaylee Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Levi
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 2 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Everett Hill
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Lydia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Joshua P.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
9 upvotes
dcdude2020
Moved here from Dallas about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to traffic but Good luck with whatever you decide..
All Countries
