Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 50s, and With a population of 8,047, Union is a small town. The unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $789 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Autumn Young
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Ethan T.
100%
38 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
28 upvotes
Cameron King
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Leah Morgan
spot on
16 upvotes
Roman Jones
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Zoey Allen
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Oliver Roberts
I'm a chef and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Brooks R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Matthew Martinez
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Noah Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 11 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
8 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 2 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. surprisingly good 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
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