Alright, Been living here since 2012. You can expect to pay around $2,103 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
9 upvotes
20 Replies
Evelyn Perez
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is average and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Abigail Brooks
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Everly Rivera
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Carter N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
29 upvotes
Kennedy Lee
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
local_jonathan36
as a local I can confirm
20 upvotes
Isaiah
yeah no that's not right
17 upvotes
Alice Richardson
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. 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 weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Brooks Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- 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 affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Allison P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
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..
14 upvotes
Donna G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Katherine
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Gianna Wright
literally same
10 upvotes
Autumn Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Helen G.
I'm a teacher and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Scarlett Watson
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
6 upvotes
Maria M.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Camila Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
5 upvotes
nyc_easton
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
David Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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