Hey everyone, Homes are going for about $692,600 on average. Rent is about $2,314/month for a decent place. With a population of 31,964, Seaside is a smaller city. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
26 upvotes
5 Replies
Leo Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
33 upvotes
William Cox
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 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
26 upvotes
Autumn Hughes
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
Jonathan Stewart
I've lived in North for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Bella Martinez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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