Random thought, I'm a 51-year-old data analyst and It's a a smaller city city with about 76,836 people. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,053 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
26 Replies
Willow Anderson
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
cool_josiah64
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Mackenzie S.
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Piper Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Angel H.
been saying this for years
36 upvotes
Easton L.
I've lived in North for about 6 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 Boston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Kayden
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Mason G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
31 upvotes
Natalie Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Brooklyn Anderson
I work in engineering here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Everett Cruz
underrated comment
21 upvotes
Jaxon Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. improving 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 reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
20 upvotes
weston_kid
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Fairview area are excellent. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Jose C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
17 upvotes
Emilia M.
I work in education here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Scott J.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The community vibe is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
portland_naomi
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Gianna
not my experience at all
11 upvotes
sunny_adeline89
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Thai places. I love the pace of life here.
10 upvotes
Bennett C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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