Hi all, Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $115,729 in Woodway. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Miles Watson
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Kennedy
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Maple Ridge area are solid. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Grace J.
+1
33 upvotes
Gabriella M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Elizabeth H.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
32 upvotes
Jack Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Cedar Grove schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Genesis Ortiz
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Emma Bailey
spot on
27 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
25 upvotes
aaron_girl
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Aiden Garcia
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
14 upvotes
Avery M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 56, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Old Town and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
9 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 27, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
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