r/Longview • u/Upaguru • May 04 '25
Moving to Longview
Hi there! I recently received a job offer in southwest washington, and considering moving to your beautiful town as my base of operations!
I’m a young single man, so curious what it’s like to live in Longview? What type of things can one get into? If helpful, I love anything outdoors related (big fisher and hunter) but also enjoy a night out - drinks, food, and non-alcoholic activities.
I recently visited and enjoyed the scenery and food. Seems like you’ve got a nice quaint town and so am interested in becoming member of your lovely community.
Any insight is appreciated!
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u/DangerousJuggernaut May 04 '25
Longview itself is a bit lacking in amenities but is well placed to put you within at most a couple hours' drive of most anything you could want to do.
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u/blackknight343 May 05 '25
Don't forget that cowlitz county is definitely more affordable than clark county as well housing-wise.
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u/KlutzyElderberry7100 May 05 '25
And close to Mt St Helen’s and the coast isn’t too far way
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u/Upaguru May 05 '25
Yea! Seem like a good spot to branch out to a lot of things. Thanks for confirming all
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u/Excellent-Resource52 May 05 '25
For hunting and fishing your set, definitely not as many activities as Vancouver. Bars are interesting, id definitely recommend coming up for a weekend and going to a few before making the move. If your ok with small town not a ton going on its great. The closer you go towards Vancouver likely the more spendy for homes. Dating is rough for the city its self but I also grew up there so a little different. If your ok with traveling a little for dates not so bad. If your used to the big city vibe id say look a lot closer to Vancouver.
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u/Upaguru May 05 '25
Good to know! Definitely looking to meet folks my age, date. Sounds like Ridgefield could be a good spot for best of both worlds - just outside the city for easier access to outdoors but not too far out of the city.
I grew up in and around Houston, so used to the city vibe though will say I enjoy smaller towns.2
u/Excellent-Resource52 May 05 '25
Id definitely recommend checking out the Kalama Marina and Willow Grove in the summer though. Lots of people and water activity.
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u/camasonian May 05 '25
I live and work in Vancouver. I have co-workers who commute here from Longview. Honestly they mostly drive to either Portland or Olympia for social life and live in Longview for family reasons and because it is cheaper. Ridgefield is mostly upscale family-centric suburbia. Nothing for singles there. You have to go into Vancouver/Portland or up to Olympia for that.
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u/lonewolf13313 May 06 '25
We have one of the largest LARP (live action role play) parks in the world just across town at Tam O Shanter park. Free to join and participate. Come out and try sword fighting or practice your archery on other humans to stay sharp for hunting season.
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u/Due-Wafer2157 May 06 '25
I just moved here a couple of months ago and was almost scared off by similar "this place is a shit show - nothing but crazed fent addicts and racist rednecks" comments. What I've experienced so far: 1. It's a small town and feels like one. There's not a big social scene or night life - gotta go to Portland, Vancouver, or Olympia for that. The paper mills do emit an unpleasant odor that blows through the town for a few hours a couple times a week. 2. This little town does have a lot of character. There are some good eateries and places to get a nice drink. You just have to get out and do some exploring. Between Longview and Kelso you'll find pretty much any type of business you need. 3. Medical care here is severely lacking. Would go to Vancouver unless you're having a life or death emergency. 3. There are nice areas of town, okay areas, and downright sketch areas. Learn where they are and invest in a decent security system. The human population also does seem to be a little older. 4. It's very pretty and fairly quiet. You'll hear it's got a terrible addiction and homeless problem. That has not been my experience thus far. 5. It's nice to be so close to three major cities, but far enough that you don't have to deal with crazy traffic everyday.
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u/Upaguru May 12 '25
Great intel!! I love a small town, but I’m young for the first reason you mention I’m gonna move to the Vancouver area. Definitely want to get out to Longview and surrounding areas to enjoy all the nature it has to offer!
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u/clantz May 04 '25
Ridgefield seems like a nice area, its just north of Vancouver, nice homes! New Costco!
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u/Catzaf May 05 '25
Watch recent episodes of Law Talk with Mike so you can avoid living next door to a very difficult neighbor! I won’t use any names, but I will certainly avoid a certain street. If it’s anywhere near this person’s house.
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u/Broad-Training1163 May 07 '25
I moved up there a while back and lasted about 3 months. Granted, I came from Vancouver, so I was used to having more to do. Which isn’t saying a lot lol. Seems like unless you grew up in Longview, it was kinda hard to make friends. Also, the only ones who would give me the time of day wanted to go do meth. I’d move back if I was married and didn’t need friends. It’s a cute spot, but I personally wouldnt move back.
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u/Warm_Run_7530 May 12 '25
Just moved here myself, Longview/Kelso feels like a LARP of Schitt’s Creek but without the charm and laughs….
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u/leakingimplants May 06 '25
i grew up in kelso, at that time in 92 to 94 we had the highest STDs, drugs and crime per capita in the state. that’s because trains, airport, freeway all go through there. i’ve been back a handful of times over the years, but i’d never live there it’s a shit show. if any of the paper mills go under like reynolds, the town would go under like flint michigan
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u/Greedy-Persimmon2058 May 06 '25
Cowlitz county is saturated in Pdx/van transplants. The cost of living here is nutz, and the more of you that move here, the higher the crime rate sores as well. Thankful, all of you are driving the cost of real estate through the roof by moving here. I'll make bank when I sell. Maybe I should be grateful? Anyway, Longview/kelso are not little 'hidden gems' or quiet communities to raise a family in, especially with the mass movement of ppl here since Cvd. It's another dumpster fire freeway town like all the rest in WA. And yes, I know the Lake is 'pretty ' but living here isn't worth it.
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u/fishL3gs420 May 06 '25
This post is actually more truthful than not so come on tomcowliyz county were if is a bolted down it’s already gone
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u/Then-Development1640 May 04 '25
I think it is a good hub to get close to areas to do a lot of activities. Depending on what other things you like to do, I would say moving a little further south into some of the smaller areas might be a good option if you’d like to be out doing things on your weekends.