Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $1,031,100 on average. Household incomes average around $135,665 in Walnut Creek. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thanks for reading. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Gabriella Howard
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
39 upvotes
Jonathan B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Pine Hills and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Connor M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Santiago L.
I've lived in North for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Arthur G.
I work in marketing here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Hunter W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's underrated.
23 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
preach
22 upvotes
Alice Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
19 upvotes
Ryan Hughes
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Nova Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Brittany M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Brielle
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
oakland_ezekiel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Avery S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 11 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Roman Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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