Hello, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 6.6%, which is concerning. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
James C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Roman R.
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
sarah_life
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Eli B.
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Connor R.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Nova Mitchell
Moved here from Portland about 2 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to housing market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Katherine A.
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Nevaeh W.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Clara White
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Aurora Clark
same here
14 upvotes
Alexander Mendoza
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
14 upvotes
phoenix_melanie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
William R.
I've lived in West for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Ryan K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Oliver Taylor
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Maverick Hughes
Moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Mason P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Ruby Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Wesley Flores
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
sdheart2025
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
All Countries
