It's a a small town city with about 16,000 people. Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Appreciate any input. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Natalie W.
bump
39 upvotes
Patrick G.
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 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
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. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Mia Cooper
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
Lydia Cook
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Helen O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Bella Hall
accurate
19 upvotes
Andrew K.
accurate
14 upvotes
Gabriella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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