Anyone else feel this way? My partner and I are Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a smaller city city with about 42,612 people. Rent is about $2,696/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $1,199,400 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
6 Replies
Landon Hernandez
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Peyton Ward
+1
14 upvotes
Mateo Brooks
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Thai places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
10 upvotes
Jayden Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
7 upvotes
Violet Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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