Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 13 years and Rent is about $1,085/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
28 upvotes
17 Replies
Aaron Cook
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Wyatt Mendoza
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Zoey
I work in real estate here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Avery Cox
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
happy_everett95
+1
27 upvotes
Sophie Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 46, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
23 upvotes
lake_emilia15
following this thread
23 upvotes
lake_leah57
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Sebastian Moore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
18 upvotes
Nova C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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. South schools are better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Leo Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (South) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Ariana
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Autumn Ortiz
I'm a HR manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Jonathan King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Brielle Smith
100%
10 upvotes
Ruby Peterson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Joshua M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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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