OK so I work in marketing and Household incomes average around $156,056 in Penn Wynne. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Appreciate any input.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Colton Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. pretty good 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Asher Anderson
good to know, thanks
35 upvotes
Audrey Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
33 upvotes
Elijah Kelly
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
30 upvotes
sf_wesley
same here
29 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Mia Roberts
lol so true
28 upvotes
urban_melanie64
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Leo Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
William Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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