Hey everyone, I'm originally from St. Louis and Rent is about $1,107/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 17.1%, which is higher than I expected. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
3 upvotes
6 Replies
kc_eva
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
17 upvotes
Brenda M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
11 upvotes
Elijah
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Savannah W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Landon Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
8 upvotes
Jack T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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