Longtime lurker here, Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
24 Replies
Joseph N.
great question, following
40 upvotes
Melanie Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
40 upvotes
Paisley Nelson
I've lived in Westside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
oaklandkid2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
33 upvotes
Emilia J.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Springfield area are challenging. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Sebastian H.
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Andrew Allen
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Addison R.
yep
24 upvotes
Isaac Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Ella Ross
this is the way
14 upvotes
Vivian King
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Olivia Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Gabriella
I've lived in The Heights for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Arianna
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Dominic
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Sophia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Kayden Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Violet Kelly
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Isabella Long
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
Emma Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Frances G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Henry Wright
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
4 upvotes
Everly Chavez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Eli C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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