Hi all, I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? Any help is appreciated. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Violet Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Eastside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. tough 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
32 upvotes
Gabriel
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Elijah King
Came here for school and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Isaiah Chavez
This.
9 upvotes
Landon Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 7 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Lori B.
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 Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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