We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Redmond sits at 102.2 per 100K. Household incomes average around $162,099 in Redmond. With a population of 75,721, Redmond is a smaller city. Rent is about $2,343/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
30 Replies
Amelia Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Olivia R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Stella Gomez
accurate
38 upvotes
Stella Thomas
I've lived in Downtown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Nolan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Delilah Ramirez
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Wyatt King
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Valentina Lopez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Portland it's excellent.
33 upvotes
Silas Thomas
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Matthew Campbell
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Aiden Lopez
literally same
29 upvotes
Isabelle Edwards
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Silas Ross
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Alice
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Audrey G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Gregory L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers 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 underrated. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Zoey H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Mia H.
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
Gabriella Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Santiago T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Julia Sanders
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Bradley F.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Violet Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Emmett White
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
phoenix_melanie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
10 upvotes
Xavier W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Lakewood schools are improving. 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 community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Ella Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Julian Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Sophie
it depends on the neighborhood
0 upvotes
Angel R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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