Curious what people think. Median household income is $37,382, which feels on the lower side for the area. With a population of 5,188, Richlands is a small town. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts?
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Naomi Hughes
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Willow C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Sunset 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Lillian S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Maple Ridge and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
27 upvotes
happy_joshua37
following this thread
26 upvotes
brooklyn_chef
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Tampa it's pretty good.
24 upvotes
Jose
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jackson Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Midtown 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Everett Flores
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
Mackenzie Brooks
I'm a contractor and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Nicholas Long
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Stella Adams
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Julia Bennett
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
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