Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Median household income is $81,200, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,165 for rent here. The weather takes some getting used to. Should I be concerned? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Claire Gomez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great seafood places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Zoey Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
38 upvotes
Avery Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Cameron W.
I've lived in South for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
David J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. West 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Hazel
big facts right here
14 upvotes
Willow Baker
+1
10 upvotes
Hunter Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Maya King
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Adrian Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
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