Alright, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
23 upvotes
17 Replies
Natalie Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Kathleen H.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Highland area are excellent. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Ellie Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 4 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
38 upvotes
Camila Kim
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Brooks White
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Naomi Robinson
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Mateo Gutierrez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
27 upvotes
Aaron Davis
same here
25 upvotes
eli_runner
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
25 upvotes
Santiago Flores
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's decent.
22 upvotes
Nolan Gonzalez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Elizabeth
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
sunny_thomas32
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Everly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Henry Foster
same here
6 upvotes
Caleb Hill
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
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