Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $164,600, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Natalie C.
lol so true
35 upvotes
Jose Ward
Used to live on the North side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
24 upvotes
Julia H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
21 upvotes
Brooks Wright
facts
21 upvotes
Julian B.
100%
20 upvotes
Mateo Ramirez
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Sophie
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
+1
14 upvotes
Madeline Evans
bump
13 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
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