Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and It's a a small town city with about 3,385 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Addison M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
38 upvotes
Silas Taylor
big facts right here
37 upvotes
milwaukeelover2020
I work in consulting here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Hailey Thomas
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
Victoria Jimenez
100%
28 upvotes
Evan P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Autumn W.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Wesley
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Peyton Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Aurora Allen
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Carter Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Jaxon Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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