Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Rent is about $1,111/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
25 Replies
Naomi A.
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
David Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Emma G.
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Xavier L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
charlotte_avery
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - 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. West schools are excellent. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Cox
wish I knew this sooner
29 upvotes
Delilah Long
same here
29 upvotes
portland_jonathan
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Elizabeth Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Wesley S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Declan Ramirez
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Ella Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
16 upvotes
Ava R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Kayden J.
literally same
13 upvotes
tampa_riley
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Stella
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Harper F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
tampa_reagan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Ava F.
I've lived in Maple Ridge 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 San Diego, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Harper N.
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
David Murphy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Eleanor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Katherine Thompson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
sf_delilah
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
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