Hi all, My partner and I are Homes are going for about $355,100 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 44,916 people. Household incomes average around $111,090 in The Colony. You can expect to pay around $1,884 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -The Colony sits at 275.1 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Easy commute
- Active local events
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited dining options
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
Any advice would be great. Cheers. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
17 Replies
Jeremy K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Michael Nelson
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Mackenzie Robinson
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Southern places. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
Jacob
This.
27 upvotes
Leah Morales
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Andrew M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
23 upvotes
Evelyn Brown
yep
22 upvotes
Isabella Lewis
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
detroitmind2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Helen W.
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
Owen Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
15 upvotes
Gabriella Sanders
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Chloe Alvarez
Moved here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Paisley
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Miles Green
following this thread
4 upvotes
Ethan Stewart
glad someone said it
1 upvotes
Levi Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. decent 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
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