Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $791/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 1,239 people. The median home value here is around $131,100, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $131,100 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Jordan Davis
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Savannah Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Jameson C.
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Aurora Mendoza
I'm a electrician and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Sophie Richardson
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
Olivia Peterson
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Angela J.
I'm a electrician and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Emma Richardson
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Arianna Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
isabelle_runner
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Jason W.
great question, following
2 upvotes
angel_local
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
2 upvotes
sophia_chef
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
Joseph W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Houston it's decent.
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