Hello, You can expect to pay around $2,379 for rent here. Poverty rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,321 people. Rent is about $2,379/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to.
23 upvotes
12 Replies
Sophie C.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Reagan Davis
glad someone said it
35 upvotes
Dominic G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Xavier
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Eastside area are improving. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
katherine_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Violet Davis
Moved here from Denver about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to job market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
portlandrunner2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 33, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
Dylan M.
accurate
17 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
16 upvotes
Sophie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
raised_joshua60
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Aurora Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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