Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a mid-size city city with about 112K people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
48 upvotes
25 Replies
tulsa_cameron
exactly what I was thinking
40 upvotes
Everett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from LA about 10 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Ava
Saving this thread
35 upvotes
Lucas
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
mateo_dude
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Jonathan
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
34 upvotes
Brooks Moore
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Logan Moore
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
John Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
29 upvotes
Katherine C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 39, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
28 upvotes
Dominic Edwards
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Everett
Used to live on the East side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Cooper Ramirez
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Declan Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
I've lived in Greenfield 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Daniel Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
11 upvotes
nola_lillian
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Levi G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's tough.
8 upvotes
Carter Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Emmett Cox
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Naomi Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Ava Williams
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Kaylee Murphy
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Leo Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are tough. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Austin Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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