Hello, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Warm Springs sits at 218.2 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 1,502 people. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is about average. Rent is about $1,661/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
houstonkid2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Elijah W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
17 upvotes
Rylee Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Ava Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 58, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
10 upvotes
Caroline
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..