Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 0.4%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this?
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Adeline
yep
40 upvotes
jaxnative2022
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much established but now it's improving.
38 upvotes
Victoria R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Natalie W.
100%
32 upvotes
Eva Harris
preach
30 upvotes
Olivia R.
Moved here from Austin about 7 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Gianna Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
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. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
21 upvotes
Hunter H.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Brielle Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Bella Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Bella
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Seattle it's tough.
12 upvotes
Theresa N.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
