Hey folks, I work in legal and Median household income is $119,054, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 76,086 people. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $377,400, which seems about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? Thanks! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
22 upvotes
4 Replies
austindude2024
facts
24 upvotes
Hannah Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 50, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
16 upvotes
aaron_guy
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Edward C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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