Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 57,961 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
5 Replies
Jayden G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
35 upvotes
Benjamin K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Allison
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Indian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
32 upvotes
Joseph H.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Waylon Kelly
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
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