OK so The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
18 upvotes
22 Replies
Levi J.
preach
39 upvotes
Lydia Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Ella
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
38 upvotes
Chloe
preach
37 upvotes
Ariana Lewis
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Joshua C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
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 cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. 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.
31 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's excellent.
28 upvotes
Amber A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Dallas it's surprisingly good.
25 upvotes
Eliana R.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Daniel G.
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
chicago_silas
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Cooper J.
Used to live on the South side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
21 upvotes
Levi J.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Riley
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
19 upvotes
Amanda M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Elizabeth Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Melanie Sanders
great question, following
12 upvotes
Maverick Patel
Came here for work and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
John J.
I'm a teacher and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Sophie Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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