Hey folks, Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $1,211,700 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
19 upvotes
20 Replies
Hudson N.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
39 upvotes
Julia A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Allison Collins
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Sofia King
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Maple Ridge area are tough. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Emma L.
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Violet Cook
facts
32 upvotes
Lily Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Grace Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Sarah Torres
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Ryan Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Everly Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Gabriel Castillo
seconding this
12 upvotes
Adrian M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. better than expected 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
11 upvotes
Zoe Gonzalez
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
8 upvotes
Kaylee L.
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
lucas_girl
Used to live on the East side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
8 upvotes
Naomi Nguyen
literally same
7 upvotes
phillymama2024
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Barbara S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
2 upvotes
Isaiah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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