Hello, I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider -South Hill sits at 279.4 per 100K. With a population of 68,161, South Hill is a smaller city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
20 upvotes
13 Replies
Robert W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Sarah B.
great question, following
28 upvotes
Jordan Castillo
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Silas Baker
following this thread
28 upvotes
Mackenzie Thompson
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Luke Carter
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
22 upvotes
Emily Bailey
seconding this
22 upvotes
Jose
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Vivian Morgan
same here
19 upvotes
Eric O.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Adeline Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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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