Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and It's a a small town city with about 18,119 people. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Austin Ortiz
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Stephen H.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
31 upvotes
Bennett Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Pamela K.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 11 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Roman H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Julia Jones
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to job market but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Greyson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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