Hello, It's a a small town city with about 5,370 people. The median home value here is around $143,400, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $143,400 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Sophie
This.
40 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
yep
38 upvotes
Isla
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Audrey W.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
36 upvotes
levi_mind
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
34 upvotes
kc_adam
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
John R.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
11 upvotes
Ryan E.
same here
5 upvotes
Nathan Turner
lol so true
5 upvotes
Miles Hall
I work in retail here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
All Countries
