I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,216/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Hunter Edwards
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Brooks H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 30, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
31 upvotes
Axel Peterson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Eliana Morris
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Nora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Mateo Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Angel Sanders
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Katherine G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 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 Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Waylon F.
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Robert Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
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