Hello, I'm a remote worker and The median home value here is around $243,200, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Does this match your experience?
7 upvotes
22 Replies
Gianna Rogers
couldn't agree more
40 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Adeline Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Jacob Jones
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Old Town area are improving. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Ruby Kelly
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Evan Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Roman Cruz
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Nevaeh
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Everett R.
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 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
Jaxon Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. 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.
18 upvotes
Brooks Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Shirley W.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Hazel N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
14 upvotes
Addison T.
big facts right here
13 upvotes
Genesis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Axel Bennett
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Gabriella J.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Wesley Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Eliana M.
following this thread
2 upvotes
Aria Kim
Totally agree!
1 upvotes
sacramento_isla
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Charlotte it's surprisingly good.
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