Hello, My partner and I are It's a a smaller city city with about 51,201 people. Homes are going for about $451,400 on average. Rent is about $1,901/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $451,400, which is pretty steep. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
16 upvotes
11 Replies
Genesis Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in East and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. excellent 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
40 upvotes
Julia Taylor
yep
39 upvotes
dallas_caroline
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
38 upvotes
Christian Richardson
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Ella O.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Nova Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Samuel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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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