Hey everyone, The median home value here is around $354,900, which seems about average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
11 upvotes
9 Replies
William Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
37 upvotes
Adeline Sanders
+1
36 upvotes
Hannah T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Christian S.
it depends on the neighborhood
22 upvotes
James Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
9 upvotes
Elena Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Ethan Myers
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
charlottechef2021
Bought a house here in 2021 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
All Countries
