Longtime lurker here, I've been here for 8 years and The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Let me know your thoughts. Cheers. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Axel Thompson
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Avery Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Alice K.
preach
26 upvotes
Luke J.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
great question, following
20 upvotes
chicago_roman
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Easton P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Cameron Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
12 upvotes
Hudson
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
11 upvotes
Elena Lewis
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Kayden
preach
9 upvotes
Wesley Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
born_lydia42
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. excellent 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
7 upvotes
Waylon R.
I've lived in Highland for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Brooklyn Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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