Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Colton Hill
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Allison
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Genesis A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Easton N.
following this thread
29 upvotes
Judith R.
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Allison
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. pretty 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
20 upvotes
real_chloe16
literally same
20 upvotes
Riley Mitchell
hard disagree but ok
18 upvotes
Camila Brooks
this is the way
12 upvotes
Emmett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. average 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Jayden Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - 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 reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. challenging 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
All Countries
